Abstract: A vial closure device, a sample vial incorporating such a vial closure device, and certain methods of using such a vial and closure device. The vial and closure device are intended to contain a gaseous sample or a headspace gas present above a liquid or solid material, so that the gaseous sample or headspace gas can be conveniently analyzed, typically by means of an autosampler connected to an analytical instrument such as a mass spectrometer. Mass spectrometric methods of determining the isotopic concentration of hydrogen and oxygen comprised in aqueous samples contained in vials fitted with such closure devices are disclosed. The vial closure device comprises a hollow body member locatable in the mouth of a vial, and a first seal for making a substantially gas-tight seal between the exterior of said hollow body member and said vial.

Abstract: A vial closure device, a sample vial incorporating such a vial closure device, and certain methods of using such a vial and closure device. The vial and closure device are intended to contain a gaseous sample or a headspace gas present above a liquid or solid material, so that the gaseous sample or headspace gas can be conveniently analysed, typically by means of an autosampler connected to an analytical instrument such as a mass spectrometer. Mass spectrometric methods of determining the isotopic concentration of hydrogen and oxygen comprised in aqueous samples contained in vials fitted with such closure devices are disclosed. The vial closure device comprises a hollow body member locatable in the mouth of a vial, and a first seal for making a substantially gas-tight seal between the exterior of said hollow body member and said vial.

Abstract: A vial closure device, a sample vial incorporating such a vial closure device, and certain methods of using such a vial and closure device. The vial and closure device are intended to contain a gaseous sample or a headspace gas present above a liquid or solid material, so that the gaseous sample or headspace gas can be conveniently analysed, typically by means of an autosampler connected to an analytical instrument such as a mass spectrometer. Mass spectrometric methods of determining the isotopic composition of hydrogen and oxygen comprised in aqueous samples contained in vials fitted with such closure devices are disclosed. The vial closure device comprises a hollow body member locatable in the mouth of a vial, and a first seal for making a substantially gas-tight seal between the exterior of said hollow body member and said vial.

Abstract: The invention comprises a vial closure device, a sample vial incorporating such a vial closure device, and certain methods of using such a vial and closure device. The vial and closure device are intended to contain a gaseous sample or a headspace gas present above a liquid or solid material, so that the gaseous sample or headspace gas can be conveniently analysed, typically by means of an autosampler connected to an analytical instrument such as a mass spectrometer. Mass spectrometric methods of determining the isotopic composition of hydrogen and oxygen comprised in aqueous samples contained in vials fitted with such closure devices are disclosed. The vial closure device comprises a hollow body member locatable in the mouth of a vial, and a first seal for making a substantially gas-tight seal between the exterior of said hollow body member and said vial.

Abstract: The invention comprises a vial closure device, a sample vial incorporating such a vial closure device, and certain methods of using such a vial and closure device. The vial and closure device are intended to contain a gaseous sample or a headspace gas present above a liquid or solid material, so that the gaseous sample or headspace gas can be conveniently analysed, typically by means of an autosampler connected to an analytical instrument such as a mass spectrometer. Mass spectrometric methods of determining the isotopic composition of hydrogen and oxygen comprised in aqueous samples contained in vials fitted with such closure devices are disclosed. The vial closure device comprises a hollow body member locatable in the mouth of a vial, and a first seal for making a substantially gas-tight seal between the exterior of said hollow body member and said vial.

Abstract: A continuous flow method of determining the quantitative isotopic composition of hydrogen comprised in a compound is disclosed, together with apparatus for carrying out the method. The method involves introducing the sample to be analysed into a flow of carrier gas which does not contain hydrogen, the carrier gas then being arranged to flow through a heated catalytic reactor which contain a chromium-based catalyst. The sample is pyrolysed in the catalytic reactor so as to form molecular hydrogen which is then analysed mass-spectrometrically. Preferably a gas chromatrograph is disposed before the catalytic reactor so that one or more components or a mixture may be separately analysed.