1. Samples are weighed directly into vials. A few drops of 6N HCl are added.

The PTFE reactor vessel is partially filled with about 30 mL of 6N HCl.

The vials are loaded into the rack, which is then placed in to the reactor vessel (Figure 1).

The reactor is then sealed.

2. Using an external source of vacuum (and the VS-5 Valve System), the reactor is evacuated (Figure 2).

3. An external supply of inert gas (N2, Ar2) is back filled into the reactor (Figure 3).

4. The ATC-400 sensor inside the vessel monitors the temperature of the acid pool.

During microwave heating, vaporized acid fills the reactor and comes into contact with the samples to be hydrolyzed (Figure 4).