Abstract

A combustion system includes a cylindrical horizontally extending ceramic combustion tube enclosed at one end and open at the opposite end for receiving a combustion boat carrying a sample to be combusted for subsequent analysis. An externally mounted sample eduction tube is coupled at one end to the interior space near the enclosed end of the combustion tube and secured at its opposite end to the combustion tube by means of a slide assembly to accommodate for differential movement between the combustion tube and the eduction tube. A lance tube also extends into the combustion tube for directing the flow of an oxidizing gas into the combustion boat to facilitate oxidation of a sample. The open end of the combustion tube is effectively sealed by a curtain of gas supplied by a flood tube for blocking the open end of the tube from admission of atmospheric contaminants and preventing the escape of gases from the combusted sample. A baffle structure is positioned between the combustion boat and gas exit to contain volatile samples during combustion.