A method of analyzing a phase transformation process of a material comprises providing a spherical sample of the material, measuring and recording a first data series of core temperature at the sample's center of gravity, measuring and recording a respective second data series of temperature at the sample's periphery, measuring and recording a respective third data series of radial displacements at the sample's periphery, and calculating a change in pressure in the sample at a plurality of points in time based on first, second and third said data series.

A system for preparing samples for chemical analysis comprises at least one sample container, and a container receptacle apparatus for receiving the sample container. The sample container comprises an elongate tubular body having a crucible portion proximal to a closed end for receiving a sample therein, and an expansion portion proximal to an open end. The container receptacle apparatus comprising a housing having a heating compartment, a cooling compartment spaced apart from the heating compartment, and an insulating region located between the heating compartment and the cooling compartment. The heating compartment is shaped to receive the crucible portion of the sample container, and the cooling compartment is shaped to receive the expansion portion of the sample container. The apparatus also includes a heating mechanism for heating the sample within the crucible portion of the sample container, and a cooling mechanism for cooling the expansion portion of the sample container.

A system for preparing samples for chemical analysis comprises at least one sample container, and a container receptacle apparatus for receiving the sample container. The sample container comprises an elongate tubular body having a crucible portion proximal to a closed end for receiving a sample therein, and an expansion portion proximal to an open end. The container receptacle apparatus comprising a housing having a heating compartment, a cooling compartment spaced apart from the heating compartment, and an insulating region located between the heating compartment and the cooling compartment. The heating compartment is shaped to receive the crucible portion of the sample container, and the cooling compartment is shaped to receive the expansion portion of the sample container. The apparatus also includes a heating mechanism for heating the sample within the crucible portion of the sample container, and a cooling mechanism for cooling the expansion portion of the sample container.

There is disclosed a desalinization apparatus, and methods related to desalinization. In an embodiment, a desalinization apparatus includes at least one port for receiving airflow therethrough, at least one port for receiving salt water therethrough, at least one output for providing outflow of pure water vapor, and at least one output for proving outflow of a mixture of water, salt and air; and a plurality of chambers for evaporating the salt water into the airflow, at least one of the chambers forming a plurality of ports arranged in a plurality of rows. In an embodiment, a method includes providing airflow to a desalinization apparatus; providing salt water to the desalinization apparatus; forming a vortex in the airflow to evaporate water vapor from the salt water; and providing the water vapor in the airflow to a condenser so as to obtain pure water.

There is disclosed a water purification apparatus and method, related to desalinization. In an embodiment, a water purification apparatus and method includes at least one port for receiving airflow therethrough, at least one port for receiving salt water therethrough, at least one output for providing outflow of pure water vapor, and at least one output for proving outflow of a mixture of water, salt and air; and a plurality of chambers for evaporating the salt water into the airflow, at least one of the chambers forming a plurality of ports arranged in a plurality of rows. In an embodiment, a method includes providing airflow to a water purification apparatus; providing salt water to the water purification apparatus and method; forming a vortex in the airflow to evaporate water vapor from the salt water; and providing the water vapor in the airflow to a condenser so as to obtain pure water.

An apparatus for supporting setting of a manufacturing condition of a vitreous silica crucible includes: an improved property parameter setting unit configured to, if the degree of matching between three-dimensional shapes of simulation data obtained based on an initial property parameter and measurement data falls below a predetermined level, set an improved property parameter such that the degree of matching becomes higher than or equal to the predetermined level, and an improved manufacturing condition data setting unit configured to set a manufacturing condition such that simulation data matching the design data to a degree higher than or equal to a predetermined level is obtained. By using the apparatus, it is possible to manufacture a vitreous silica crucible by rotational molding in such a manner that the three-dimensional shape thereof matches the design data to a high degree.

An apparatus for supporting setting of a manufacturing condition of a vitreous silica crucible includes: an improved property parameter setting unit configured to, if the degree of matching between three-dimensional shapes of simulation data obtained based on an initial property parameter and measurement data falls below a predetermined level, set an improved property parameter such that the degree of matching becomes higher than or equal to the predetermined level, and an improved manufacturing condition data setting unit configured to set a manufacturing condition such that simulation data matching the design data to a degree higher than or equal to a predetermined level is obtained. By using the apparatus, it is possible to manufacture a vitreous silica crucible by rotational molding in such a manner that the three-dimensional shape thereof matches the design data to a high degree.

The analyzer mixes the material to be analyzed and the flux in sample holders supported by a moveable platform within the furnace. A tilt member is provided having multiple stations. Each station has an upstanding pin offset from the center point of the station in a different direction. The platform is indexed relative to the tilt member such that the sample holder aligns with each station, in sequence. As the sample holder aligns with each station, the platform is moved toward the tilt member such that the pin of the aligned station abuts and tilts the sample holder in a different direction. The repeated tilting of the sample holder in different directions mixes the material and flux. The contents of the sample holder may also be agitated by rapidly moving the platform back and forth with sudden stops. The analyzer can be used with a special sample holder.

A thermal analysis of samples and proposes a device for a thermal analysis of a sample, having: a sample chamber for receiving a sample crucible including a crucible cover attached thereto, in the interior of which a sample to be analyzed is located, wherein the sample chamber has a chamber opening for introducing the sample crucible into the sample chamber; a temperature control mechanism for controlling the temperature of the sample chamber; a measuring mechanism for measuring a temperature of the sample and one or several further measured variables; a gas conveying mechanism for creating a gas atmosphere in the sample chamber; a chamber cover, which can be attached to the chamber opening of the sample chamber; and a piercing mechanism equipped with a needle, which is suitable to pierce a hole into the crucible cover of the sample crucible by means of the needle when the sample crucible is received in the sample chamber and when the chamber cover is attached to the chamber opening. A corresponding method for a thermal analysis of a sample, a sample crucible including a crucible cover, as well as a covering/piercing unit are further proposed as part of the invention.

A thermal analysis of samples and proposes a device for a thermal analysis of a sample, having: a sample chamber for receiving a sample crucible including a crucible cover attached thereto, in the interior of which a sample to be analyzed is located, wherein the sample chamber has a chamber opening for introducing the sample crucible into the sample chamber; a temperature control mechanism for controlling the temperature of the sample chamber; a measuring mechanism for measuring a temperature of the sample and one or several further measured variables; a gas conveying mechanism for creating a gas atmosphere in the sample chamber; a chamber cover, which can be attached to the chamber opening of the sample chamber; and a piercing mechanism equipped with a needle, which is suitable to pierce a hole into the crucible cover of the sample crucible by means of the needle when the sample crucible is received in the sample chamber and when the chamber cover is attached to the chamber opening. A corresponding method for a thermal analysis of a sample, a sample crucible including a crucible cover, as well as a covering/piercing unit are further proposed as part of the invention.