Micans has developed a new method for gas sampling

2017-03-15

To study the different gases in the groundwater at the depth where Sweden's future final repository for nuclear fuel is to be built is essential. This is because it is important to know as much as possible about the surrounding environment but also because gases such as methane and hydrogen are used by bacteria as electron donors in the process where the corrosive substance sulphide formed.

A new report published by the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB) covers an experiment conducted in 2016 where Micans developed the gas sampling equipment. In SKB's test tunnel at Äspö outside of Oskarshamn there are a lot of existing boreholes at different depths. There, two different gas sampling prototypes built by Micans (see picture below) were tested. Sampling is performed by groundwater and gas from the borehole is flowed into a pressurized chamber that captures both water and gas. The whole equipment is then sent to our lab in Mölnlycke where the gas is extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography. Learn more about the background and the technique by downloading the full report here.

Photos and schematic outlines of the two gas sampling prototypes. Photo: Micans