In principle, an internally heated pressure vessel (IHPV) consists of a thick-walled pressure vessel sealed by closure plugs at the ends. In addition, there is a pressure inlet/outlet as well as several electrical leads into the vessel for power supply to and temperature control of the internal furnace. The equipment is particularly designed for experimental studies at medium to high temperatures (currently up to 1250 °C) and pressures up to 10 kbar. This P-T range is inaccessible by conventional cold-seal pressure vessels. Because Ar gas is used as the pressure medium, the pressure in IHPV experiments is known more accurately than in experiments using solid-media piston cylinder equipment. Another advantage of IHPV is the comparatively large sample chamber (zone of constant T), allowing to run simultaneously 5-10 sample capsules.

The High Pressure Laboratory for Geomaterial Sciences is a Geo.X joint lab with the University of Potsdam, Mineralogy.

Partner: Prof. Dr. Max Wilke (University of Potsdam)