Summary
The gases evolved from geothermal fields, after condensation of H2O, CO2, H2S and NH3 in caustic solution, contain He, H2, Ar, O2, N2, CH4 and higher hydrocarbons. The analysis for the major components in these residual gas mixtures can be achieved by use of two simple gas chromatographs in parallel, and using 5Å molecular sieve. The separation of He and H2 to baseline is achieved by using low temperatures (30°C) coupled with a relatively long column; and the difficult separation of Ar and O2 is achieved by use of a cryogenically cooled column. The use of switching valves to backflush and bypass columns ensures that a minimum time for analysis can be achieved whilst retaining baseline separations of the He/H2 and Ar/O2 pairs.
References
W. F. Giggenbach, Bulletin Volcanologique,39, 132–145 (1975).
D.S. Sheppard, W. F. Giggenbach, N.Z. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Chemistry Division Report. In Print (1985).
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Sheppard, D.S., Truesdell, A.H. A GC-system for the analysis of residual geothermal gases. Chromatographia 20, 681–682 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02262691
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02262691