Laboratory

Sampling and chemical analysis of water, gas, and minerals are the main areas of ÍSOR’s geochemical services. We pride ourselves on providing our customers with safe, professional service and operate in accordance with international standards. ÍSOR employs a team of chemists, geochemists, and geologists, who have developed strong expertise in sampling and chemical analysis, particularly within Iceland’s geothermal industry.

Chemical analysis of geothermal fluids can offer insights into reservoir temperatures and provide risk assessments for scaling and corrosion. It can also shed light on boiling processes, fluid flow paths, and the origin of the geothermal fluid.

Active chemical monitoring of geothermal and groundwater systems is necessary to ensure the sustainable use of these resources.

ÍSOR’s chemical analyses are useful for:

• The geothermal industry
• District heating industry
• The water supply sector
• Land-based aquaculture
• Environmental and pollution research
• The pharmaceutical industry

ÍSOR’s laboratory is specially equipped for chemical analyses of:

• Geothermal water
• Cold water (drinking water, groundwater, and surface water)
• Geothermal gas and steam
• Process chemicals in water and steam
• Boron-containing waste
• Deposits and corrosion products
• Rocks and minerals
• Crystal structures in pharmaceutical materials

Chemical analysis instruments

ÍSOR’s laboratory is equipped with a wide range of advanced instrumentation. We also maintain strong collaborations with laboratories in Iceland and abroad to support specialized analyses, including trace elements, nutrients and organic compounds, and isotopes (e.g., ²H, 13^C and ¹⁸O).

• Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES): Used to analyze metals and semimetals in solution (e.g., Si, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, B, Mn, and Al).
• U-Vis Spectrophotometer: For analysis of SiO₂, NH₃ and other specific components.
• Ion Chromatography (IC): Measures anions such as F^–, Cl^–, Br^–, I^–, SO₄^2-, NO₃^– in water.
• Gas Chromatograph with a Thermal Conductivity Detector (GC-TCD): Analyzes geothermal gas components like N₂, H₂, O₂, Ar, CH₄, CO₂, and H₂
• Gas Chromatograph with an Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD): Measures fluorinated gases (SF6, PFCs) used in geothermal steam processes.
• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detector (HPLC-FLD): For analyzing fluorescent naphthalene compounds in tracer flow tests.
• Fluorometer: Used to detect fluorescein, rhodamine, and other dyes for process testing and flow studies.
• X-ray Diffraction (XRD): Identifies crystalline structures in solids, such as pipeline deposits, minerals in rocks, drill cuttings, and corrosion products.
• Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM): Examines the microstructure and composition of deposits and other solids (equipment located at IceTec/Tæknisetur).
• Other laboratory tools include titrators, conductivity meters, and pH meters and additional equipment for chemical analysis.

Field capabilities: ÍSOR also operates a specially equipped sampling vehicle for collecting geothermal and groundwater samples under field conditions.

Quality Requirements

We are committed to maintaining high-quality procedures and professionalism in all our services, from sampling to laboratory analysis. While ÍSOR’s laboratory is not accredited under the laboratory standard ISO-17025, we follow its guideline and operate under a certified ISO-9001:2015 quality management system.