Apparatus and process for measuring the temperature of a sample heated in a microwave chamber

A process for heating a sample and measuring the temperature thereof, comprising the steps of:

• seating a receptacle within a chimney which extends upwardly from a microwave chamber and which is dimensioned to block the passage of microwaves from the chamber,
• introducing microwaves into the chamber to heat a sample contained in a lower portion of the receptacle, the heated sample emitting radiation which travels freely within the atmosphere and passes through an orifice located under the receptacle in a lower wall of the chamber,
• causing the radiation from the orifice to travel to a pyrometer, and
• removing the receptacle upwardly from the receptacle-receiving means.

Apparatus for heating a sample and measuring the temperature thereof, comprising:

• a chamber including a lower wall,
• means for introducing microwaves into the chamber, receptacle-receiving means including at least one chimney extending upwardly from the chamber and having an open upper end, said chimney being dimensioned to block the passage of microwaves from the open end,
• a receptacle seated in said chimney such that a lower end thereof which contains a sample is disposed within the chamber and is heated by the microwaves so as to emit radiation,
• the chamber being provided with an orifice under the receptacle in the lower wall of the chamber and dimensioned to block the passage of microwaves and permit the passage of the radiation, and
• a pyrometer arranged for receiving and sensing the radiation emitted by the sample through the orifice whereby to determine the temperature of the sample.