Bomb-type conduction calorimeter

A conduction-type macrocalorimeter for measuring heat energy emitted by a test substance comprising:

• a sensor box having an inner compartment, an outer compartment, and heat flow detecting means within a gap defined by said inner and outer compartments;
• said inner compartment being of high thermal conductivity and diffusivity, and having interior and exterior surfaces, said interior surface completely containerizing said test substance;
• said outer compartment being of high thermal conductivity and diffusivity, and having interior and exterior surfaces, said exterior surface defining the outermost extent of said sensor box, said interior surface of said outer compartment closely conforming to said exterior surface of said inner compartment and completely containerizing said inner compartment;
• said gap surrounding said inner compartment and being defined by said exterior surface of said inner compartment and said interior surface of said outer compartment, such that spacing between said gap defining surfaces remains substantially uniform;
• heat flow detecting means for sensing heat flow from said test substance and generating a signal proportional to said heat flow, said heat flow detecting means being in intimate contact with said gap defining surfaces and substantially filling said gap to thereby minimize dead space within said gap;
• a substantially infinite heat sink in intimate contact with said exterior surface of said outer compartment;
• interpreting means for receiving said signal from said heat flow detecting means and generating an output related to said heat energy emitted from said test substance;
• whereby substantially all said energy emitted by said test substance is transferred by conduction from said inner compartment to said outer compartment through said heat flow detecting means and dissipated to said substantially infinite heat sink.