TC/EA Pyrolysis Furnace

TC/EA offers the benefits of continuous flow IRMS to on-line oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratio analysis of solid and liquid bulk samples. Quantitative high temperature conversion, also referred to as pyrolysis, is a new technique in which oxygen present in a compound is converted to CO, and hydrogen contained in a compound is converted to H2. The process is rapid and quantitative in a reducing environment at high temperature, typically exceeding 1400°C. The TC/EA preparation system and ConFlo III interface combination facilitates the conversion reaction, separation of reaction gases, transfer into the IRMS and referencing against standard gases. The proprietary reactor consists of a glassy carbon tube with glassy carbon filling, ensuring that neither sample nor reaction gases can get into contact with oxygen containing surfaces while at high temperature. Only this technology enables memory-free conversion reactions with no restrictions on compound type. The reaction gases are separated in an isothermal gas chromatograph, which also is part of the TC/EA. The gases are admitted to the IRMS via the ConFlo III interface.