A gas chromatography system for measuring carbonaceous gases released at high-pressure and high-temperature conditions.

This article focuses on the development and evaluation of an integrated gas chromatography (GC) system designed to collect, convert, and quantify carbonaceous gases released from samples subjected to high-pressure high-temperature (HP–HT) conditions in large volume press (LVP) experiments. The system features a capsule-crushing device for thorough sample pulverization, a nickel-catalyst methanizer to convert CO and CO2 into methane (CH4), and a flame ionization detector (FID) for sensitive gas detection, enabling accurate identification and quantification of gases such as CO2, CH4, and ethane (C2H6). Testing with kerogen samples under controlled HP–HT conditions demonstrated the system's reproducibility and effectiveness, with improved gas retention achieved by using bowl-shaped metal disc welding for capsule sealing. This approach offers a robust and portable solution for investigating carbon chemistry relevant to deep Earth processes.