A sample is weighed into a ceramic crucible and the required accelerators are added. The crucible
is then introduced into a high frequency induction furnace. The sample is combusted in oxygen and
any carbon present forms carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The gas is passed
through a purification system to remove moisture and dust, the CO is catalytically oxidized to CO2
and the total CO2 concentration is measured by a solid state infrared detector. After introduction of
the sample into the instrument, all subsequent operations are carried out automatically.