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.

 

 

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.

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^-, SO₄^2-). 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.