System and method for preparing multiple samples for chemical analysis using a common heat source

An apparatus for preparing samples for chemical analysis, comprising:

• a) a housing for housing a plurality of elongated sample containers, each of the sample containers having a crucible portion adjacent a closed end and an expansion portion remote from the closed end, the housing having a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being shaped to receive one of the plurality of sample containers such that the crucible portion of the one of the plurality of sample containers is received in a heating compartment of the housing, the plurality of receptacles arranged in a plurality of rows of receptacles such that the plurality of crucible portions of the plurality of sample containers are arranged in a plurality of rows of crucible portions in the heating compartment when the plurality of sample containers are received in the housing;
• b) an elongated infrared heating element mounted within the heating compartment between and along a first row and a second row of the plurality of rows of receptacles such that the elongated heating element is arranged between and along a first row and a second row of the plurality of rows of crucible portions when the plurality of sample containers are received in the housing;
• c) a first adjacent reflector with a first elongated reflecting surface extending generally parallel to the elongated heating element, the first adjacent reflector mounted within the heating compartment with the first reflecting surface directed at the heating element;
• and
• d) a second adjacent reflector with a second elongated reflecting surface extending generally parallel to the elongated heating element, the second adjacent reflector mounted within the heating compartment with the second reflecting surface directed at the heating element and generally facing the first reflecting surface across the heating element.

An apparatus for preparing samples for chemical analysis, comprising:

• a) a housing for housing a plurality of elongated sample containers, each of the sample containers having a crucible portion adjacent a closed distal end and an expansion portion remote from the closed end, the housing having a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being shaped to receive one of the plurality of sample containers such that the crucible portion of the one of the plurality of sample containers is received in a heating compartment of the housing;
• b) an elongated infrared heating element mounted within the heating compartment and arranged to simultaneously heat samples in each of the crucible portions while the plurality of sample containers are received in the housing, the elongated heating element positioned laterally outward from a first lateral side of each of the crucible portions and extending past each of the plurality of crucible portions when the plurality of sample containers are received in the housing;
• c) a remote reflector with a remote reflecting surface, the remote reflector mounted within the heating compartment with the remote reflecting surface positioned such that when the plurality of crucible portions are received in the heating compartment the remote reflecting surface is remote from the heating element and adjacent a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side of each crucible portion of the group.