Method and apparatus for providing a substance for the analysis of isotope ratios

摘要

A process and apparatus that provides a substance for isotopic ratio analysis is described. The method comprises generating gas from a sample within the eluate of a liquid chromatograph 10, reducing and/or oxidizing the eluate via an electrolysis cell 11 and subsequently supplying the gas generated to an IRMS instrument 14 for isotopic ratio analysis. The substance or precursor of the substance may be present in the liquid phase of the eluent and the electrolysis process may generate the substance or precursor of the substance. Additives 15 may be added to the process at 16 to improve the conductivity of the eluent in the cell 11.