COLLABORATE | CREATE | INNOVATE

Sercon PyroEArth

High-Precision Elemental Analysers for Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry

The Sercon PyroEArth

High-Precision Elemental Analysers for Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS)

Engineered for analytical performance and operational efficiency, the Sercon PyroEArth provides robust elemental analysis capabilities tailored to the needs of isotope researchers across geosciences, environmental science, biogeochemistry, and related disciplines.

Equipped with a combustion and pyrolysis capable furnace, the PyroEArth allows versatile analysis for many applications in one space saving optimized benchtop design.

 

pyroearth

Features

  • Compact benchtop design: Combustion and Pyrolysis options in one unit.
  • Flexible Auto sampling: Zero-blank and liquid autosampler configurations; multiple carousel sizes available Fully software automated
  • Combustion and Pyrolysis capable furnace – Allows for easy switching between Combustion and Pyrolysis applications within one analytical module.
  • Sample Versatility: Supports organic/inorganic matrices including biological, environmental, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural samples
  • Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD): Integrated TCD enables high-sensitivity elemental quantification (detection limit: <50 ppm) Auto Gas Save – Can automatically enter gas save at the end of a suite of samples saving expensive helium gas
  • Fully configurable setup – Allows for maximum efficiency of consumables
  • Smart Oxygen Injection – Uses minimal amount of O2 required for full sample combustion
  • Ease of Maintenance: Direct access to furnace tubes and traps

Modes

  • NC   by Combustion Run time 6.5mins Carrier flow rate 65ml/min
  • A tin capsule containing the sample is introduced to the combustion reactor in the presence of oxygen to evolve CO2, N2, NOx and H2O species. Second reduction furnace reduces NOx and removes excess Oxygen. H2O is taken care of via chemical trap.
  • NCS by Combustion Run time 13 mins Carrier flow rate 65ml/min
  • Modified packings and an additional GC column allow δ34S analysis of SO2  alongside δ13C and δ15N.
  • O and H pyrolysis Run time 3.3 mins Carrier flow rate 60ml/min
  • The sample is introduced to the pyrolysis tube, a MgClO4 trap removes water vapour, a Carbosorb trap removes any CO2 and a GC column separates CO from N2.

Specifications

Design

Benchtop integrated Dumas combustion & pyrolysis unit.

Helium flow rate

60 ml / min (20 ml / min low volume mode)

Combustion / Pyrolysis furnace

Ambient to 1500°C

Reduction furnace

Ambient to 1100°C

GC column oven

Ambient to 250°C

Gas control

Software controlled oxygen pulse for efficient and economical combustion. Software controlled carrier flow. Normally

closed solenoid valves to prevent helium wastage

Sample Range

1.5 μg to 1000 μg N, 2.5 to 2000 μg C, 3 to 2000 μg S, 5 to 1000 μg O, 50 to 1000 μg H

(samples down to 0.5 μg can be measured with reduced precision)

Autosampler

50 – 197 position solid sampler.

Liquid and Zero blank options available.

 

Performance

Isotope

Species

Combustion

Pyrolysis (solids)

Pyrolysis (liquid)

Gas

13C

CO2

0.1‰

 

 

0.1‰

15N

N2

0.15‰

 

 

0.1‰

34S

SO2

0.2‰

 

 

 

D

H2

 

1.5‰

0.6‰

 

18O

CO

 

0.3‰

0.3‰

 

18O

CO2

 

 

 

0.15‰

 Software

  • Total software control of the instrument system and data processing with Sercon Calisto software
  • Allows storage of sample analysis protocols to comply with good laboratory practice
  • Standby mode to preserve consumable life during periods of low use
  • Software controlled oxygen injection to match sample requirements thereby preserving the life of the consumables
  • Inter-file import/export facility from instrument PC to laboratory server or internet (allows rapid updating of software or transfer to common spreadsheet packages)
  • Fully compatible with all versions of Windows

Reference materials and consumables

Trusted Performance for Demanding Labs: Reference Materials & Consumables

In high-precision laboratories, every detail matters. Sercon supports researchers and lab managers with a comprehensive range of ultra-pure reference materials and isotopically enriched compounds—engineered to meet the exacting standards of elemental and isotopic analysis.

Each product is delivered with a full Certificate of Analysis and MSDS, ensuring full traceability and compliance. Our interactive online catalogue makes it easy to identify the right standard—filter by element or delta value to streamline your selection process and keep your workflows efficient.

When it comes to maintaining instrument performance, Sercon Consumables are the reliable choice. Specifically developed for our elemental analysers, each component is rigorously tested, quality-assured, and continuously monitored across our own IRMS platforms to guarantee isotope-grade performance. The result? Maximum instrument uptime, consistent data quality, and total confidence in your results.

For labs where precision, reliability, and efficiency are non-negotiable, Sercon is the partner of choice.

Browse our full range at:
sercon-consumables.com

Service

At Sercon we pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service and support. We genuinely care about our customers and want to help you get the best performance from your instruments.

Visit our service area to find out how we can support you with service contracts, emergency visits, upgrades, system refurbishments and training.

You can log service and support calls online to help our engineers to provide solutions.

Product News

Amherst Installation

Amherst Installation

Amherst Installation Service engineer Rob Kameny recently spent time at Amherst College, University of Massachusetts, to install a replacement Elemental Analyser and relocate a number of other instruments into the new Beneski Earth Sciences lab for Prof. David S....

read more
UAB Barnas, Lithuania

UAB Barnas, Lithuania

UAB Barnas, Lithuania Service Engineer Henry Cooke recently visited Vilnius, Lithuania to install an Sercon EArth for the Mass Spectrometry department at UAB Barnas, where it will be used for carbon dating. The Sercon EArth was installed alongside their own...

read more
Honey Adulteration New EU Rules

Honey Adulteration New EU Rules

Honey Adulteration New EU Rules Since the end of November, third party countries exporting honey and other apiculture products to the EU for human consumption must be registered, and consignments may only enter the bloc if they are despatched from, obtained and/or...

read more
Argentina Installation

Argentina Installation

Argentina Installation Visit Systems Engineer James Hanson recently worked with Jenck S.A. Instrumental, Sercon’s agent  in Argentina, to complete an installation at Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata in Argentina. Once the installations – an HTEA, a CryoPrep, an...

read more
Installation and Service Peru

Installation and Service Peru

The School of Chemistry at Universidad Nacional De San Agustin (UNSA) in Arequipa, Peru hosted a five day installation, service and maintenance visit from Sercon Service Engineer Dave Harris in July. The UNSA team, led by Prof. Juan Lopa and Gina Daza, undertake...

read more
Instrument Relocation in Peru

Instrument Relocation in Peru

Systems Engineer James Hanson has been back to South America to take care of Stage One of a major instrument move in Arequipa, Peru. The Universidad Nacional de San Agustin de Arequipa (UNSA) is relocating its Stable Isotopes Laboratory, and James spent a week testing...

read more
Chilesaurus Laser Sampling!

Chilesaurus Laser Sampling!

The second Leg of Systems Engineer James Hanson’s Chilean roadtrip took him to the Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB), a private University in Viña del Mar. The visit was for the installation of a multi-prep suite of Sercon instruments in the Isotope Analysis Lab to...

read more