IMG 20170629 122055
IMG 20170629 121608

Analysis
Gas

The composition and determination of gases are analysed via gas chromatography (GC) and various detectors. Different technical facilities allow the quantification and identification of the composition of the gas phase

  • in water by forced degassing

  • in gas samples

  • in rock or mineral samples by pressure induced release of the gas.

Subsequently to the determination of the gas composition, an isotope analysis can follow.

GC-TDR GC-FID GC-FIC
Hydrogen (H2) Methane (CH4)  
Helium (He) Ethane (C2H6) Ethene (C2H4)
Nitrogen (N2) Propane (C3H8) Propene (C3H6)
Oxygen (O2) Butane (C4H10) Butene (C4H8)
Neon (Ne) Pentane (C5H12) Pentene (C5H10)
Argon (Ar) Hexane (C6H14) Hexene (C6H12)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)    

Identification of trace gases like CFC and SF6 is also done by GC, while noble gases are analysed with high accuracy by mass spectrometer (MS) after cryogene separation.

MS after cryogene separation GC-ECD
Helium (He) Trichlorfluoromethane (F11)
Neon (Ne) Dichlordifluoromethane (F12)
Argon (Ar) 1,1,2-Trichlorotrifluorethane (F113)
Krypton (Kr) Sulphurhexafluoride (SF6)
Xenon (Xe)  

In order to analyse single gases like CH4-, CO2- or 222Rn in the field (indoor air, ground air) mobile detection equipment is available.