Apparatus for the trapping of reaction products

Apparatus for trapping reaction products, said apparatus comprising:

• (I) a vertical external tube having an upper and lower end and having a region of decreased diameter;
• (II) heat-resistant sample-containing means for holding a decomposition sample above said region of decreased diameter, said sample-containing means being sealably connected to the upper end of said external tube;
• (III) sample displacement means for moving said sample vertically in said external tube in locations above said region of decreased diameter;
• (IV) heating means for heating said external tube including said region of decreased diameter, and said sample-containing means to a sample decomposition temperature;
• (V) first gas inlet means for supplying a first gas to the upper end of said external tube;
• (VI) second gas inlet means for supplying an inert shield gas to the lower end of said external tube below said region of decreased diameter;
• and
• (VII) trapping means for trapping reaction products, comprising:
• (A) an outer tube having an inner surface and sealably connected to the lower end of said external tube, and an upper end of said outer tube being located in said region of decreased diameter;
• (B) an inner concentric tube in said outer tube, an upper end of said inner tube being at a lower level than that of said outer tube;
• (C) water supply means providing an upward-moving stream of flush water in said outer tube at a flow rate sufficient to maintain contact with substantially the entire inner surface of said outer tube and then to flow into said inner tube;
• (D) a collection vessel communicating with the lower end of said inner tube;
• and
• (E) vacuum means attached to said collection vessel to receive said first and shield gases.