Determination of presence of total nitrogen in sample by pyrolysis

摘要

Determination of the quantity of nitrogen in a sample comprises pyrolysis of the nitrogen compound with methanol at 1200 deg , preferably 300-800 deg C, followed by measurement of the ammonia content. The sample is dissolved in methanol or in a solvent containing methanol and placed in the pyrolysis chamber. The methanol reduces the nitrogen compounds in the sample to ammonia. The presence of nitrogen compounds is determined by an assembly comprising a pyrolysis unit and an ammonia detector. The pyrolysis oven is a standard incinerator, preferably an upright unit.