GasGeochem (FR5.2)

The gas geochemistry lab at IFPEN combines the instrumentation and expertise to analyse and interpret gas geochemistry data including:

• Major gas composition including CO₂, N₂, O₂, He, methane, ethane, propane, butane, H₂, H₂S

• Stable isotopic composition of carbon in CO₂, methane, ethane, propane, butane

• Stable isotopic composition of H in H₂, methane, ethane, propane, butane

• Noble gas concentration of traces of He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe

• Isotopic composition of He (³He/⁴He ratio) and Ar (⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratio)

Gas and water samples can be treated on demand, depending on sampling techniques and sample conditioning.

Procedures for sampling and conditioning should be advised.

 Instruments comprise:

• Triple detector (FID, 2 TCD), triple column, two carrier gas GC – gas sample and reference conditioning bench allowing thermostated, pressure regulated injection into the GC. Optimal absolute partial pressure calibration achieved for CO₂, N₂, O₂, He, methane, ethane, propane, butane, H₂, H₂S across the 0,001-100 vol.% range.

• Finnigan MAT253 IRMS coupled with Trace Gas GC and combustion/reduction interface. TriPlus automated sampler for various types of vials.

• GV 5400 sector mass spectrometer for Helium and Neon isotopes. Pfeiffer Vaccum Hi-Quad QMS700 (0-340 mass range) for noble gas elemental and Ar isotopic analyses. In house design UHV sample preparation line.

The sampling equipment may be provided if necessary. Assistance during sampling campaigns can as well be planned. Field gas analysers can be brought to sampling sites in order to give first estimates of gas compositions and presence of hazardous compounds.

Although similar individual instruments exist in various labs in Europe and throughout the world, the uniqueness of our lab resides in the full integration of data production across different instruments on a single sample aliquot, and with great care to maximise data consistency from major gas composition to fine isotopic compositions of trace compounds..