MSS GC Isotope Range

Isotope Overview

The MSS Thermal range has been designed to permit high precision GC compound specific isotopic analysis. The Thermal range is split into two versions, the low temperature Thermal 1 (1250°C max) and the high temperature Thermal 2 (1650°C max).

The Thermal 1 is designed around a high precision, custom-built, dual temperature zone furnace. This furnace is essentially two furnaces in one, with two internal wire wound heating elements. The dual-zone allows MSS to offer unsurpassed temperature stability, providing higher analytical precision and increased lifespan of combustion tubes (approximately 3 months depending on application). There is no need to regenerate the combustion tubes with oxygen between analysis.

The high temperature Thermal 2 cannot only perform all the functions of the Thermal 1, but has the added capability of high temperature Pyrolysis. This is achieved using a custom-made, platinum wire-wound resistance furnace. Although more expensive than silicon carbide elements, the platinum provides a constant temperature zone of approximately 11 cm. By comparison, silicon carbide elements mounted horizontally display no constant temperature zone, with temperatures dropping by as much as 50°C within only 1 cm either side of the furnace hot-spot.

The Thermal 1 has been designed for those users who require high accuracy analysis of compound specific CO2 and / or N2 but do not require the added expense of high temperature D and O2 pyrolysis. If after purchasing a Thermal 1 your needs change, the modular nature of the system enables a quick on-site upgrade to provide you with a fully functional Thermal 2.

Electrical control of the furnace has been designed to optimise the maximum life span of the unit with a programmable soft "boot" (slow heating cycle).

16-bit analogue control also provides high precision temperature control with a ±1°C maximum variation at a set point of 1450°C.

Low & High Temperature Furnaces

All gas-tight fittings within the GC and furnace are high- temperature rated (to 350°C+), zero dead volume Valco™ connectors. Due to the minimal dead volume within the system, sample chromatography remains excellent, even after passing through the furnace. Base line peak width is typically less than 10 seconds for most common applications.

Further functionality is added to both systems with the possible addition of the Cryo1. The Cryo1 enables either manual syringe or automated injection of large volume samples into the the GC. During the injection process the samples are dried (H2O removed) and purged of any none condensable gases such as N2 or O2. This is particularly useful for ground water contaminants such as VOC's.

When introducing samples into the system it is essential to remove excess solvent prior to the combustion or pyrolysis furnace. Failure to remove the solvent would greatly reduce the lifespan of the furnace tube and act as a major interference peak to any compound eluting close to the solvent retention time.

Solvent Split & FID

In order to remove the solvent prior to the furnace, the Thermal 1 & 2 diverts the column flow from the furnace to a flame ionization detector (FID). Within the FID, the solvent or other unwanted component, is safely and effectively burnt off and can be recorded and integrated for quantification purposes.

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