Systems and methods of determining isotopic composition of gaseous samples

摘要

Determining isotopic composition of a gaseous sample comprising: separating the gaseous sample 106B into gaseous components using at least one gas chromatograph 108. The gaseous components are then oxidized in a combustion furnace 110. Then water is removed from the oxidized gaseous components using a water separator 112. Ion beams are generated associated with each of the oxidized gaseous components using an ion source associated with an isotope-ratio mass spectrometer 118. Isotopic concentrations are determined associated with each of the ion beams using a mass analyser 132. Thereafter, the isotopic composition of the gaseous sample is determined by the isotope-ratio mass spectrometer using the isotopic concentrations associated with each of the ion beams. The isotope-ratio mass spectrometer or the water separator may comprise a shock absorber. The water separator may comprise a tube coiled around a cylindrical support. The present invention may be used in the onsite analysis of gases.