Development of a clumped isotope laser ratiometer sample preparation and inlet system

块状同位素分析是描述含油气碳酸盐岩地层温度历史的一种新的分析技术。这些信息对于石油勘探至关重要，可以确定最有可能在哪里以及在多深的地方发现油气藏。其他技术也可用于获取温度历史，但取决于流体包裹体的存在。然而，包裹体并不总是存在，也不能提供与块状同位素分析一样的精确度。尽管有明显的好处，但全球只有12个实验室使用这项技术。这是因为集中同位素分析需要使用定制的高精度质谱仪和进样器。这些系统的成本超过了国标500K，每天只能分析2到3个样品。只有在降低成本和提高分析速度的情况下，石油和天然气行业才能使用这项技术。Protium打算开发一种新的样品制备系统，该系统将允许使用同位素激光比率法来取代高精度质谱仪。激光测定仪的低成本可以将总体设备成本降低多达三分之二。该系统还将使分析过程自动化，从而增加样品通过量。与使用现有技术的3个样品相比，拟议的系统将以每天30个的速度处理样品。如果该项目成功，它将导致第一个用于激光比例计集束同位素分析的自动化系统的开发。PROTEN将通过以下方式实现这一目标：1.开发高效的岩酸消化系统和除水陷阱。开发去除有机污染物的新型化学捕捉器。在最近完成的一个由TSB资助的开发项目中，对现有的散装同位素激光比率计进口和电子流量控制技术进行了改进。100984)。

Clumped isotope analysis is a new analytical technique to characterise temperature historiesof oil and gas bearing carbonate rock formations. This information is crucial for oilexploration to determine where and at what depth oil reservoirs are most likely to bediscovered. Other techniques are used to obtain temperature histories but depend upon thepresence of fluid inclusions. However, inclusions are not always present and do not providethe same precision as clumped isotope analysis.Despite the clear benefits, globally only 12 laboratories use this technique. This is becauseclumped isotope analysis requires the use of customised high precision mass spectrometersand inlets. These systems cost in excess of £500K and can only analyse 2 to 3 samples perday. This technique will only become accessible to the oil and gas industry if costs can bereduced and the speed of analysis increased.Protium intends to develop a new sample preparation system that will allow isotope laserratiometry to be used instead of high precision mass spectrometers. The lower cost of laserratiometers could reduce overall equipment costs by up to two thirds.This system would also automate the analytical process thereby increasing sample throughout.The proposed system would process samples at a rate of 30 a day compared to 3 usingexisting techniques. If the project is successful, it will lead to the development of the firstautomated system for laser ratiometer clumped isotope analysis.Protium will achieve this by:1. Developing an efficient rock acid digestion system and water removal traps.2. Developing novel chemical traps to remove organic contaminants.3. Modifying existing bulk isotope laser ratiometery inlet and electronic flow controltechnology developed by Protium during a recently completed TSB funded developmentproject (Ref. 100984).