Experimental Equipment
High-temperature pressure vessels
High-temperature titanium and stainless steel pressure vessels allow for hydrothermal experiments at a variety of physical and chemical conditions (up to 500 bar, 500°C). Experiments are typically mineral buffered, but other configurations are possible. Open- and closed-system experiments and rapid sampling and injection methods are available.
![gold bag rocking autoclave](/sites/aqueousgeochem.esci.umn.edu/files/2021-03/gold%20bag%20system.jpg)
Lower temperature reaction vessels
The lab contains a variety of reaction vessels suitable for lower temperature (< 200°C) experiments at atmospheric or vapor saturated pressure.
Microwave digestion equipment
A MARS Ethos Up Microwave Digestion System allows for rapid digestion of solid samples including silicate rocks in preparation for further analysis using liquid-state analytical equipment.
Analytical Equipment
Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS
The newest addition to our analytical facilities, a Thermo iCap TQ Triple Quadrupole Inductively Couple Plasma Mass Spectrometer (TQ-ICP-MS) helps us to measure trace elements and isotopes in complex matrices. A collision cell with optional He and O2 gases helps eliminate pesky isobaric interferences. The TQ-ICP-MS is equipped with a prepFAST autosampling autodillution system.
![TQ-ICP-MS](/sites/aqueousgeochem.esci.umn.edu/files/2021-02/IMG_0336_cropped_website.jpg)
Gas Chromatograph
An Agilent 6890 Gas Chomatograph (GC) enables us to measure samples of gases (H2, CO2, CH4) served up "on tap" from our experimental equipment.
Ion Chromatograph
A Thermo Dionex ICS-5000 Ion Chromatograph (IC) can be used to measure major anions (Cl-, SO42-). Some minor anions (NO3-, Br-) can also be analyzed. The IC is equipped with an autosampler.
Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer
Like a ten-year-old car in Minnesota, the Thermo iCAP 6000 inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) is still going strong thanks to some tender loving care from our lab team. Great for quick analyses of many elements (but not Cl!). The ICP-OES is equipped with an autosampler and in-line internal standard.