Laboratory & instruments

ENGAGE-LAB hosts instrumentation for gas detection and analysis, including:

  • Gas chromatograph for hydrogen (H2), helium (He), hydrocarbons (methane to buthane, C1-C4) and major gas (N2, O2, CO2) analyses
  • Cavity Ringdown Spectrometer (stable C isotopes of CH4 and CO2)
  • Laser sensors for high precision methane and ethane detection (Tunable Diode Laser Spectrometry and Mid-Infrared Laser Absorption Spectrometry)
  • Infrared sensors for CH4 and CO2
  • Electrochemical and semiconductor sensors for hydrogen
  • Portable helium sensor based on Selective Ion Pump Detection (SIPD)

ENGAGE-LAB also hosts instruments for analysis of physico-chemical parameters of water and detection of total hydrocarbons in soil and water.

Gas sampling systems:

  • Soil-gas probes, accumulation chambers, gas containers for lab analysis
  • System for gas extraction and analysis from solid materials

Quality control and scientific practices

ENGAGE-LAB uses advanced analytical and interpretative tools endorsed by the international academic community and oil industry:

  • Use of new generation high-quality gas sensors
  • Use of certified gas calibration standards
  • Established protocols for instrument performance checks (precision, errors)
  • Collaboration with European laboratories through the ENGAGE-EP Exchange Platform
  • Supervised by leading international researchers

Portfolio of more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications.

Instruments

Gas geochemistry laboratory 1

Laboratory for Gas Chromatography, C-isotopes and water analysis.

Gas geochemistry laboratory 2

Laboratory for portable gas sensors and Planetary Ball Mill.

Gas-chromatograph SHIMADZU NEXIS GC-2030 (FID+TCD) - Japan

Analysis of C1-C4 hydrocarbons, H2, He, CO2, H2S, N2, O2.

Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy PICARRO G2201-i (USA)

Isotopic analysis of CH4 and CO2
CH4 (1.8 – 1500 ppmv)
CO2 (200 – 4000 ppmv)
δ13CCH4, δ13CCO2

Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (CH4 TDLAS) GAZOMAT (France) and double beam infrared CO2 sensor Licor-820 (USA) (West Systems sensor package, Italy)

CH4 (0 – 100 vol. %)
CO2 (0 – 20000 ppmv)

Mid-Infrared Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (inter-band cascade laser - ICL) MIRA-PICO Aeris Techn. (USA)

CH4 (10 ppbv – 10000 ppmv)
C2H6 (1 ppbv – 1000 ppmv)

Multiple gas detector (infrared and electrochemical) Dräger X-am 8000 (Germany)

H2 (0 – 2000 ppmv – 4 vol.%)
CH4 (0.1 – 5 vol% – 100 vol.%)
CO2 (0 – 5 vol% – 100 vol.%)
H2S (0 – 200 ppmv)
O2 (0 – 25 vol.%)
CO (0 – 2000 ppmv)

Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) INSPECTRA GAZOMAT (France)

CH4 (0.5 ppmv – 100 vol. %)

Semiconductor and Thermal Conductivity sensor Variotec 460 Tracergas Sewerin (Germany)

H2 (0 – 100 vol. %)

UVF (UltraViolet Fluorescence) analyzer 500D (SiteLAB - USA)

Detection of TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons) and oil from water and soil (in C15-C50 range).

Planetary Ball Mill RETSCH PM100 (Germany)

Extraction of gas from solid material (rocks, stones, hard soil).

Portable multiparameter HI 98494 (Hanna Instruments - Romania)

pH, ORP (mV), EC (µS/cm), TDS (mg/L), Salinity (‰), DO (mg/L)

Semiconductor and pellistor sensor Metrex 2 HGS (Italy)

H2 (0 – 5 vol. %)

PHD-4 Helium detector Agilent (USA)

Selective Ion Pump Detection (SIPD). Sensitive to helium concentrations as low as 2 ppmv.

Field equipment

Mobile laboratory

Dacia Duster 4×4 mobile laboratory for field missions. Power connection for instruments (inverter 12/230V 300W); sample container.

Gas flux chambers & probes

A. Gas flux chambers
B. Soil-gas sampling probes
C. High-quality gas sample containers for lab analyses

Drone DJI Mavic 3 Classic

Aerial photos and videos.