Analytical method for the determination of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen and sulfur or chlorine and apparatus therefor

A method for elementary analysis by independent or simultaneous determination of any number of elements from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon, and hydrogen and at least one element of sulfur or chlorine in samples, comprising:

• passing an oxygen gas through a combustion system in a reaction tube packed with an oxidation catalyst or oxidizing agent having a heating zone maintained at a temperature of from 800.degree. C. to 1100.degree. C.;
• introducing a sample into said reaction tube with circulating oxygen in a closed system, said oxygen being present in an amount sufficient to thereby subject said sample to complete combustion and said circulating oxygen uniformalizing the resulting combustion gas by continuous circulation during combustion to achieve a homogeneous combustion gas mixture;
• dividing the homogeneous combustion gas mixture into first and second combustion portions in a definite volume ratio;
• introducing said first combustion portion, together with a carrier gas, into a reduction tube packed with reduced copper having a heating zone maintained at a temperature of from 400.degree. C. to 700.degree. C., and detecting and determining the resulting nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas and steam or acetylene gas or hydrogen gas produced by contacting steam with calcium carbide or calcium hydride;
• while
• introducing sulfur oxide or chlorine and/or hydrogen chloride gas contained in said second combustion mixture into an absorption liquor together with oxygen gas;
• and
• detecting and determining at least one of the resulting sulfate or chloride ion.