Disadvantages of Resistively Heated Filament Pyrolyzers

The main disadvantage of a resistively heated pyrolyzer results from the fact that the filament must be physically connected to the controller. The temperature control of a resistively heated filament is based on the resistance of the entire filament loop, including the filament and its connecting wires. Anything that damages or alters the resistance of any part of the loop will have an effect on the actual temperature produced by the controller. 

An additional disadvantage may be produced by the fact that the filament must be housed in a heated zone. Introduction of some samples into a heated chamber before pyrolyzing them may produce volatilization or denaturation, altering the nature of the sample before it is actually degraded. 

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