Imperial College Organic Geochemistry group has acces to a range of analytical equipment capable of isolating and analysing various organic compounds.
Gas chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
Gas chromatography separates complex mixtures into individual compounds that are subsequently introduced into a mass spectrometer to allow the detection and identification of the analytes. The Agilent 6890N model allows large volume injection and is capable of analyte detection at ppb or even ppt levels.
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX API 150EX
The API 150EX based system comprises a liquid chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer. Liquid chromatography separates compounds while a mass spectrometer enables characterisation.
High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
Perkin-Elmer LC240 fluorescence detector 
The High Pe rformance Liquid Chromatography system includes a P-E Series 200 autosampler, vacuum degasser, pumps, and UV/VIS detector. The system is also equipped with a LC240 UV fluorescence detector. The autosampler gives a complete control over a wide range of injection methods and also includes built-in precolumn dilution and derivatization. The dual-beam optical design of the UV/VIS detector gives outstanding sensitivity and accurate quantitation at very low or high analyte concentrations.
Fluorescence detector
FluoroMax - Compact Spectrofluorometer. Manufactured by HORIBA Jobin Yvon
The FluoroMax-4 fluorescence detector is the most senstitive bench top system available. It is a sophisticated machine that is able to select both the excitation and emission (fluorescence) wavelengths using monochromators. The Fluoromax-4 configuration provides maximum versatility for scientific investigations. Fibre optic accessories allow the excitation and detection of materials outside of the instrument.
Pyrolysis/ATR-Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy
FT-IR-Spectrometer Nicolet 5700
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy provides Information about the chemical bonds present in target materials. Attenuated Total Reflectance allows the analysis of solid or liquid materials, while pyrolysis evaporates, desorbs and thermally generates gas mixtures.
Subcritical water extractor (SCWE)
A bespoke Subcritical Water Extractor is used to extract organic compounds in an environmentally-benign manner without using the traditional toxic or highly volatile organic solvents. Organic materials can be extracted by controlling the dielectric constant of water so that water under particular temperature and pressure conditions may behave like an organic solvent. Manipulation of conditions allows targeting of organic compounds or the sequential extraction of polar and nonpolar organic material.