Abstract: A gas transfer system for transferring gas into an analytical instrument for isotope ratio analysis comprises a capillary for delivering sample and/or reference gas from a gas source, a first connector for connecting the capillary to the gas source, a second connector for connecting the capillary to the analytical instrument, a crimping device, wherein the internal surface of the capillary comprises a coating material to prevent or minimize adsorption of water to the surface. Also provided is a device for regulating gas flow in a gas inlet system of an analytical instrument, comprising a body member having an internal gas flow channel, and a clamping member for attachment to the body member such that when the clamping member is tightened onto the body member, the internal gas flow channel is adjustably and reversibly crimped, to adjust gas flow therethrough.

Abstract: A gas transfer system for transferring gas into an analytical instrument for isotope ratio analysis comprises a capillary for delivering sample and/or reference gas from a gas source, a first connector for connecting the capillary to the gas source, a second connector for connecting the capillary to the analytical instrument, a crimping device, wherein the internal surface of the capillary comprises a coating material to prevent or minimize adsorption of water to the surface. Also provided is a device for regulating gas flow in a gas inlet system of an analytical instrument, comprising a body member having an internal gas flow channel, and a clamping member for attachment to the body member such that when the clamping member is tightened onto the body member, the internal gas flow channel is adjustably and reversibly crimped, to adjust gas flow therethrough.

Abstract: A gas transfer system for transferring gas into an analytical instrument for isotope ratio analysis comprises a capillary for delivering sample and/or reference gas from a gas source, a first connector for connecting the capillary to the gas source, a second connector for connecting the capillary to the analytical instrument, a crimping device, wherein the internal surface of the capillary comprises a coating material to prevent or minimize adsorption of water to the surface. Also provided is a device for regulating gas flow in a gas inlet system of an analytical instrument, comprising a body member having an internal gas flow channel, and a clamping member for attachment to the body member such that when the clamping member is tightened onto the body member, the internal gas flow channel is adjustably and reversibly crimped, to adjust gas flow therethrough.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method performed in an interface system, the interface system comprising a reactor and a reaction-product-separator, the method comprising: (a) guiding a liquid containing analytes to and through the reactor and causing a component comprised by the analytes to react to a reaction product in the reactor, to thus create a post-reactor liquid comprising the reaction product, (b) guiding the post-reactor liquid from the reactor to the reaction-product-separator and through the reaction-product-separator, and separating the reaction product from the post-reactor liquid, to thus create a post-separator fluid, and (c) guiding at least one rinsing liquid through at least one of the reactor and the reaction-product-separator. The present invention also relates to an interface system, wherein the system is configured to perform the method, wherein the interface system comprises the reactor and the reaction-product-separator.

Abstract: A sample preparation apparatus for an elemental analysis system comprising a sample combustion and/or reduction and/or pyrolysis arrangement for receiving a sample of material to be analysed, and producing therefrom a sample gas flow containing atoms, molecules and/or compounds; a gas chromatography (GC) column into which the sample gas flow is directed; a heater for heating at least a part of the GC column; and a controller for controlling the heater. The controller is configured to control the heater so as to increase the temperature of at least the part of the GC column whilst the sample gas flow in the GC column elutes.

Abstract: A gas inlet system for an isotope ratio spectrometer and a method for coupling analyte gas to an isotope ratio spectrometer are disclosed. A variable volume reservoir is located between a supply of analyte gas and a spectrometer. The reservoir's internal volume is controllably adjusted at a pre-determined rate to generate a defined flow of analyte gas or mixture to or from the reservoir. Analyte gas and carrier gas are taken up by the reservoir on increasing the reservoir's internal volume and then expelled from the reservoir to the spectrometer on decreasing the reservoir's internal volume. An open split can be used together with the reservoir to facilitate splitting away and hence dilution of analyte within the reservoir. A method for cleaning the gas inlet system is provided, which involves flushing the system with carrier gas.

Abstract: A gas inlet system for introducing gas into an isotope ratio analyzer, the gas inlet system including a reference system comprising: a first supply of a reference gas having a first known isotope ratio; a supply of a carrier gas, wherein the supplies of reference gas and carrier gas are each connected by respective reference and carrier gas lines to a first mixing junction where the reference gas and carrier gas combine; a mixing zone connected downstream of the first mixing junction wherein the combined reference gas and carrier gas mix together; an exit line for transporting the mixed gas from the mixing zone to the isotope ratio analyzer; and an opening on the exit line, wherein the opening is downstream of the mixing zone. Also provided is a method of determining an isotope ratio.

Abstract: A sample preparation apparatus for an elemental analysis system comprising a sample combustion and/or reduction and/or pyrolysis arrangement for receiving a sample of material to be analysed, and producing therefrom a sample gas flow containing atoms, molecules and/or compounds; a gas chromatography (GC) column into which the sample gas flow is directed; a heater for heating at least a part of the GC column; and a controller for controlling the heater. The controller is configured to control the heater so as to increase the temperature of at least the part of the GC column whilst the sample gas flow in the GC column elutes.

Abstract: A gas transfer system for transferring gas into an analytical instrument for isotope ratio analysis comprises a capillary for delivering sample and/or reference gas from a gas source, a first connector for connecting the capillary to the gas source, a second connector for connecting the capillary to the analytical instrument, a crimping device, wherein the internal surface of the capillary comprises a coating material to prevent or minimize adsorption of water to the surface. Also provided is a device for regulating gas flow in a gas inlet system of an analytical instrument, comprising a body member having an internal gas flow channel, and a clamping member for attachment to the body member such that when the clamping member is tightened onto the body member, the internal gas flow channel is adjustably and reversibly crimped, to adjust gas flow therethrough.

Abstract: A method for generating a mass spectrum of sample ions using a multi-collector mass spectrometer is disclosed. The mass spectrometer includes a spatially dispersive mass analyser to direct the sample ions into a detector chamber. The method includes generating sample ions of a first ion species A, a second ion species B, and a third ion species C, wherein the ions of species A have a different nominal mass to the ions of species B and C, and further wherein the ions of species B have the same nominal mass as the ions of species C. The sample ions of the species A, B and C are directed to travel through the mass analyser and towards detectors in the detector chamber, the sample ions being deflected during their travel. The ions of species B and C are scanned across a master aperture defined in a master mask of a master detector, while the ions of species A pass through a lead aperture defined in a lead mask of a lead detector.

Abstract: A gas transport system includes at least one chemical reactor having at least one inlet and at least one gas outlet and at least one sample introduction unit for delivering the sample into the chemical reactor. The gas transport system at least one carrier gas line fluidly coupled to the chemical reactor inlet for introducing into the chemical reactor carrier gas from a carrier gas source, at least one gas outlet line from the chemical reactor gas outlet, and at least one gas recycling line connected to the gas outlet and/or the gas outlet line by a first gas line junction that is arranged between the chemical reactor and a downstream detection unit on the gas outlet line. The gas transport system is adapted to allow recycling of at least a portion of gas emerging from the chemical reactor outlet back to the chemical reactor via the gas recycling line.

Abstract: A sample preparation apparatus for an elemental analysis system comprising a sample combustion and/or reduction and/or pyrolysis arrangement for receiving a sample of material to be analyzed, and producing therefrom a sample gas flow containing atoms, molecules and/or compounds; a gas chromatography (GC) column into which the sample gas flow is directed; a heater for heating at least a part of the GC column; and a controller for controlling the heater. The controller is configured to control the heater so as to increase the temperature of at least the part of the GC column while the sample gas flow in the GC column elutes.

Abstract: A gas inlet system for introducing gas into an isotope ratio analyzer, the gas inlet system including a reference system comprising: a first supply of a reference gas having a first known isotope ratio; a supply of a carrier gas, wherein the supplies of reference gas and carrier gas are each connected by respective reference and carrier gas lines to a first mixing junction where the reference gas and carrier gas combine; a mixing zone connected downstream of the first mixing junction wherein the combined reference gas and carrier gas mix together; an exit line for transporting the mixed gas from the mixing zone to the isotope ratio analyzer; and an opening on the exit line, wherein the opening is downstream of the mixing zone. Also provided is a method of determining an isotope ratio.

Abstract: A gas inlet system for an isotope ratio spectrometer and a method for coupling analyte gas to an isotope ratio spectrometer are disclosed. A variable volume reservoir is located between a supply of analyte gas and a spectrometer. The reservoir's internal volume is controllably adjusted at a pre-determined rate to generate a defined flow of analyte gas or mixture to or from the reservoir. Analyte gas and carrier gas are taken up by the reservoir on increasing the reservoir's internal volume and then expelled from the reservoir to the spectrometer on decreasing the reservoir's internal volume. An open split can be used together with the reservoir to facilitate splitting away and hence dilution of analyte within the reservoir. A method for cleaning the gas inlet system is provided, which involves flushing the system with carrier gas.

Abstract: A gas inlet system 20 for an isotope ratio spectrometer 1 and a method for coupling analyte gas to an isotope ratio spectrometer 1 are disclosed. A variable volume reservoir 5 is located between a supply of analyte gas 9,11 and a spectrometer 1. The reservoir's internal volume is controllably adjusted at a pre-determined rate to generate a defined flow of analyte gas or mixture to or from the reservoir 5. Analyte gas and carrier gas are taken up by the reservoir 5 on increasing the reservoir's internal volume and then expelled from the reservoir to the spectrometer 1 on decreasing the reservoir's internal volume. An open split 3,8 can be used together with the reservoir 5 to facilitate splitting away and hence dilution of analyte within the reservoir 5. A method for cleaning the gas inlet system 20 is provided, which involves flushing the system with carrier gas.

Abstract: A system for concentrating an analyte gas in a gas stream of an analytical system is provided. The system comprises at least one separation device, at least one gas inlet line, at least one detector, at least one gas outlet line, a first split line in connected to the gas inlet line, and a first split valve for controlling gas flow in the first split line. Also provided is a method for concentrating an analyte gas.

Abstract: A sample preparation apparatus for an elemental analysis system comprising a sample combustion and/or reduction and/or pyrolysis arrangement for receiving a sample of material to be analysed, and producing therefrom a sample gas flow containing atoms, molecules and/or compounds; a gas chromatography (GC) column into which the sample gas flow is directed; a heater for heating at least a part of the GC column; and a controller for controlling the heater. The controller is configured to control the heater so as to increase the temperature of at least the part of the GC column whilst the sample gas flow in the GC column elutes.

Abstract: A gas inlet system for introducing gas into an isotope ratio analyzer, the gas inlet system including a reference system comprising: a first supply of a reference gas having a first known isotope ratio; a supply of a carrier gas, wherein the supplies of reference gas and carrier gas are each connected by respective reference and carrier gas lines to a first mixing junction where the reference gas and carrier gas combine; a mixing zone connected downstream of the first mixing junction wherein the combined reference gas and carrier gas mix together; an exit line for transporting the mixed gas from the mixing zone to the isotope ratio analyzer; and an opening on the exit line, wherein the opening is downstream of the mixing zone. Also provided is a method of determining an isotope ratio.

Abstract: A method of configuring a Faraday detector in a mass spectrometer is described. The mass spectrometer defines a central ion beam axis, and the Faraday detector is moveable relative to the central ion beam axis. The Faraday detector includes a detector arrangement having a detector surface, and a Faraday slit defining an entrance for ions into the detector arrangement. The Faraday detector has an axis of elongation which extends through the Faraday slit. A width of the Faraday slit is chosen, and the angle between the axis of elongation of the Faraday detector and the central ion beam axis is adjusted such that ions striking the detector surface do not generate secondary electrons.

Abstract: A gas inlet system for introducing gas into an isotope ratio analyser, the gas inlet system including a reference system comprising: a first supply of a reference gas having a first known isotope ratio; a supply of a carrier gas, wherein the supplies of reference gas and carrier gas are each connected by respective reference and carrier gas lines to a first mixing junction where the reference gas and carrier gas combine; a mixing zone connected downstream of the first mixing junction wherein the combined reference gas and carrier gas mix together; an exit line for transporting the mixed gas from the mixing zone to the isotope ratio analyser; and an opening on the exit line, wherein the opening is downstream of the mixing zone. Also provided is a method of determining an isotope ratio.