Elemental analyzer using carrier gas supplier

An analysis system for analysing the constituents of a sample of material, the system comprising:

• a reference supply conduit for supplying a source of a first gas;
• a carrier supply conduit for supplying a source of the first or a second gas;
• first and second reactors;
• a first auto-sampler for providing one or more samples of material, the first auto-sampler having an inlet for receiving gas and an outlet for providing the received gas and a sample to the first reactor;
• a second auto-sampler for providing one or more samples of material, the second auto-sampler having an inlet for receiving gas and an outlet for providing the received gas and a sample to the second reactor;
• a thermal conductivity detector having first and second channels for identifying the relative conductivity of the gases in each channel,
• characterized in that:
• the system further comprises a valve system arranged to control the flow of gas from the supply conduits to the inlets of the first and second auto-samplers;
• the analysis system has a first mode of operation in which:
• the valve system connects the carrier supply conduit with the first auto-sampler;
• the first auto-sampler delivers the received gas and a sample to the first reactor;
• the first reactor delivers at least one reaction product to one channel of the thermal conductivity detector;
• and
• the valve system connects the reference supply conduit to the other channel of the thermal conductivity detector;
• and
• the analysis system has a second mode of operation in which:
• the valve system connects the carrier supply conduit with the second auto-sampler;
• the second auto-sampler delivers the received gas and a sample to the second reactor;
• the second reactor delivers at least one reaction product to one channel of the thermal conductivity detector;
• and
• the valve system connects the reference supply conduit to the other channel of the thermal conductivity detector.