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Sample Size Guidelines

The maximum amount of sample that should be placed in the PHOENIX is 20

grams of combustible material (1 sample x 20 grams each = 20 grams, 2 samples x

10 grams each = 20 grams, or 5 samples x 4 grams each = 20 grams, or 15 samples

x 1.30grams, etc.). Combustible material is the amount of non-ash material in the

sample. For instance, a 40-gram sample that is 50% ash would have 20 grams of

ash and 20 grams of combustible material. The PHOENIX AirWave® can accept

up to 50 grams of combustible material. Larger samples may be placed into the

PHOENIX AirWave® if the temperature of the ashing furnace chamber is below the

ignition point of the sample.

The PHOENIX allows volatile material from the ashing furnace chamber to escape

around the furnace door, then through a microwave attenuator screen to a squirrel

cage blower for ventilating the microwave cavity. Samples with more than 20 grams

of combustible material will cause an excessive amount of residue to collect around

the furnace door and on the microwave attenuator screen. These excessive sample

sizes will generate enough pressure inside the ashing furnace chamber to push the

ashing furnace door open and allow ﬂ ames to exit the ashing furnace chamber.

These ﬂ ames can ignite the residue around the furnace door and on the microwave

attenuator screen or the residue will absorb microwave energy and heat to the point

of ignition. The AirWave High Capacity Ashing Furnace Insert will accept ﬁ ve

100 ml crucibles with 50 grams of sample or 3 150 ml crucibles with 100 grams of

sample.

The PHOENIX AirWave® channels volatile material from the ashing furnace cham-

ber through a chimney in the top of the ashing furnace chamber to the Air Ampliﬁ ed

Exhaust System that contains no screens or moving parts. Volatile material from the

ashing furnace chamber escape through the chimney and into the exhaust system.

Residue collection on the outside of the ashing furnace and in the exhaust system is

reduced to a manageable level.

CEM Phoenix User Manual

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