Characterizing and Improving a Semiportable Mass Spectrometer System for Measurements of Noble Gas Ratios

......................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................... 2 1.1. Background .......................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Case Studies: The Noble Gases as Geochemical Tracers ..................................................... 6 1.2.1 Noble Gases in Ice Cores................................................................................................ 6 1.2.2 Application of Noble Gases to Determine the Viability of CO2 Storage ....................... 6 1.3 Henry’s Law: Atmospheric Noble Gases and Solubility Equilibria ..................................... 8 1.4 Deviations from Henry’s Law Equilibrium .......................................................................... 9 1.5 Analytical Techniques in the Detection of Noble Gases ..................................................... 10 Chapter 2: Methods .................................................................................................................... 13 2.1 Sample Preparation ............................................................................................................. 14 2.1.1 Flask Samples ............................................................................................................... 14 2.1.2 Bottled Samples for Accuracy Experiments ................................................................. 15 2.2 Processing Line ................................................................................................................... 16 2.2.1 Water Flow Configuration (a, b) .................................................................................. 16 2.2.2 Gas Extraction Membrane (c) ....................................................................................... 17 2.2.3 Gas Purification (d, e) ................................................................................................... 18 2.2.4 Vacuum System (f, h) ................................................................................................... 21 2.2.5 Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (g) .............................................................................. 21 2.3 Procedures for Precision and Accuracy Experiments ......................................................... 21 2.3.1 Procedure for Precision Experiments ........................................................................... 21 2.3.2 Procedure for Accuracy Experiments ........................................................................... 25 2.4 Sample Analysis .................................................................................................................. 26 2.4.1 Mass Spectrometer ....................................................................................................... 26