Experimental Laboratories

Experimental facilities. At the present time our laboratories include:

• Operational laboratories:
• Atmospheric Laboratory Experimentation and materials synthesis at controlled temperature and oxygen fugacity. Two high precision Pt wound JMC 1250degC gas mixing furnaces (CO2/H2, Ar/H2 or CO2/CO gas mixtures). A Lenton 1800degC gas mixing furnace is available for large sample experimentation (currently being upgraded for CO2/H2 or CO2/CO gas mixtures). A Nabertherm 1750degC muffle furnace is available for experimentation in air and preparation of experimental materials.
• Cold-Seal Laboratory Experimentation and materials synthesis at up to 2kbar (200 MPa) and 800degC using argon as the pressure medium. The cold-seal laboratory is a large capacity facility equipped with 30 cold-seal pressure vessels operated from a central control room. In addition the laboratory is equipped with 10 medium volume batch autoclave reactors.
• 10 kilobar Laboratory Three internally heated gas pressure autoclaves capable of routine operation to 10 kilobars (1 GPa) and 1300degC, and two internally heated gas pressure autoclaves for use up to 5 kilobars (500 MPa), using argon pressure medium. Routinely capable of accepting up to 6 individual experimental charges (typically 3mm x 15mm noble metal sample tubes) in each pressure vessel. Experiments are controlled from an external control room.
• Solid Media Laboratory Two solid media piston cylinder presses capable of routine operation to 30 kilobars (3 GPa) and 1800degC. A newly pressure calibrated multi-anvil Walker cell (left) is available for extremely high pressure experimentation up to 250kbar (15 GPa) and 1600degC.
• Low Temperature Aqueous Geochemistry Laboratory The appointment of Dr Ian Butler as ECOSSE Research Fellow in Experimental Geoscience has lead to the development of a laboratory dedicated to experimental geochemistry and mineralogy at ambient pressures and temperatures characteristic of the Earth's surface and immediate subsurface. Facilities include a Saffron anoxic chamber, freeze-drier, Camspec UV-vis spectrometer, DLK-60 electrochemical analyser and solid state electrodes, Radiometer pH/mV meters and equipment for the preparation of reaction vessels under anoxic conditions.
• Preparation Laboratory Mettler 5-figure analytical balances, and extensive facilities for sample preparation, gel-making, precision cutting, grinding and polishing, welding of noble metal reaction ampoules and reaction furnace construction and loading.
• The Experimental Geoscience Facility is supported by a large, well-equipped workshop manned by two highly experienced machinists. The workshop provides the capacity for design and manufacture of new and innovative experimental equipment, and for maintenance of existing equipment.