Pyrolysis Lab

GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

last updated: April 9, 2025

About the Laboratory

Pyrolysis Lab

GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

@ Section 3.2 Organic and Earth Surface Geochemistry

This Laboratory is part of:

Organic-geochemical Laboratories laboratory complex
Networks: Geo.X

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Description

For the thermal decomposition of organic matter different pyrolysis techniques are applied. They are used in combination with different gas chromatographic methods such as gas chromatography, gas chromatography mass spectrometry and gas chromatography flame ionization detection.

Instruments

Chromatography in which an analytical sample is thermally decomposed to smaller fragments before entering the column. (Source: IUPAC; https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2017-0111)
Py-GC - Pyrolysis Gas Chromatograph
Py-GC-FID - Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector
Mass spectrometry technique in which the sample is heated to the point of decomposition and the gasphase decomposition products are characterized by mass spectrometry. (Source: IUPAC; https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-06-04-06)
Py-GC-MS - Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer
PyMS
Pyrolyzer
Py
TDU Pyrolyzer - Thermal Desorption Unit Pyrolyzer
TDU, TDU pyrolyzer

Analytical Methods

Chromatography in which an analytical sample is thermally decomposed to smaller fragments before entering the column. (Source: IUPAC; https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2017-0111)
Py-GC - Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography
Py-GC-FID - Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detection
Mass spectrometry technique in which the sample is heated to the point of decomposition and the gas phase decomposition products are characterized by mass spectrometry. (Source: IUPAC; https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-06-04-06)
Py-GC-MS - Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
PyMS, Pyrolysis Mass Spectrometry
Tvap - Thermovaporization
Thermovaporisation
A chemical degradation reaction that is caused by thermal energy. (The term pyrolysis generally refers to an inert environment.) (Source: IUPAC; https://media.iupac.org/publications/analytical_compendium/)
Pyrolysis
Py
TDU-Pyrolysis - Thermal Desorption Pyrolysis
TDU, Thermodesorption Pyrolysis

Laboratory Keywords

In addition to the instruments and analytical methods listed above, these keywords help to describe the work done in the laboratory. This may include the type of samples, standard materials, specific preparative or analytical methods and specific instrument characteristics.

Closed System Pyrolysis
Closed System Pyrolysis at Different Heating Rates
Open System Pyrolysis
Pyrolysis-GC-IRMS
Source Rock Analyzer (SRA)
Source Rock-Thermovaporisation
Thermodesorption
Whole Oil-Micro-Scale-Sealed-Vessel (MSSV)

Disciplines

Geoscience > Geochemistry > Geochemistry
Geochemistry

The Research Network for Geosciences in Berlin and Potsdam

Pyrolysis Lab

GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

About the Laboratory

Pyrolysis Lab

Access

Description

Instruments

Analytical Methods

Laboratory Keywords

Disciplines

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