Hi Len After similar cracking a fusion problems from combusting glass fibre filters we have been using thin-wall alumina liner tubes inside the quartz reactor column. These prolong the life the reactor tube and have the added advantage of being easily changed and require minimum downtime for de-ashing which can be done at the running temperature. Max Max Gibbs NIWA, PO Box 11-115 Gate 10 Silverdale Rd Hamilton 3251 New Zealand Phone: +64 7856 1773 Fax: +64 7856 0151 Cell: 027 604 1449 Email: [log in to unmask] >>> "Wassenaar,Len [NHRC]" <[log in to unmask]> 18/09/2008 9:18 a.m. >>> After cooling and cracking another new quartz reactor column on the C+N EA I am wondering if anyone has instead tried using thicker walled ceramic columns normally used for pyrolysis? Seems to me these are far more robust and could be easily cleaned out and reused without the filthy mess left by shattered qtz reactors? Anyone tested this? Pros, Cons? Len Leonard I. Wassenaar, Ph.D. Stable Isotope Hydrology and Ecology Laboratory Environment Canada 11 Innovation Blvd. Saskatoon, SK Canada S7N 3H5 tel (306) 975-5747 fax (306) 975-5143