Jenny is a chemist working in the Department of Petroleum Research at the CSIRO.

I work in the field of Organic Geochemistry as an Analytical Chemist. An Organic Geochemist studies the organic composition of rocks, soil sediments, oils, petroleum and gases. The organic composition is derived from plant and animal matter that has been degraded for thousands of years. I analyse samples that come to the laboratory and define the total composition of the sample and the ratio of carbon isotopes in the sample.

What are some of the chemical principles that you use within your work?

I have to know the principles behind the instruments. How they work and why they work. This involves gas laws, polarity laws, knowledge on isotopes and combustion.

I work with chemicals such as Acetone, Pentane, 2-Methylbutane, Liquid Nitrogen, Helium, Oxygen, Water, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Natural gas samples and standards containing Methane, Ethane, Propane, Butane, Pentane and CO2., Dichloromethane, Zinc and Copper Oxide. Um I think that is it for the moment.

The main reaction I work with is a combustion reaction.

• The natural gases being converted to CO₂ and H₂O. The natural gas is first separated into it's different components using a gas chromatograph. After they come out of the GC then the components one by one are passed through a furnace that is at about 900^oC containing Copper oxide. Oxygen is also passed through at the same time. This is how the components are converted to CO₂ and H₂O.
• The CO₂ and H₂O are trapped together in a Liquid Nitrogen trap (-180^oC).
• To separate the CO₂ from the H₂O we then use the melting points of the two. The samples are under vacuum so the melting points will be different to melting points at atmospheric pressure. We use a bath of Acetone and Dry Ice (-78^oC) to keep the H2O frozen and another Liquid Nitrogen bath to catch the CO₂.
• We then measure the amount of 13⁰C/ 12^oC (two of the carbon isotopes) on an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS).
• The H₂0 can also be collected, and by using Zinc and heat (about 400^oC) the Zn will become ZnO and the H₂O will become H₂. The Hydrogen isotopes are then analysed on the IRMS.
• Dichloromethane is used to dissolve oil samples. The oil can be fairly viscous and to make them less viscous we use the dichloromethane. This works on the principle of non polar solvents dissolve non polar reagents. You know like how oil and water don't mix.

I use the molar equations, Ideal gas laws and density equations to predict the amount of product I will obtain.

These processes and reactions are mintored. Mostly known standards are used at the start and end of everyday. If the correct numbers do not come out then you know there is a problem somewhere in the system. You would first check your cooling baths and furnace temperatures, then check the system for leaks. If this fails you then need to check the system thoroughly from one end to the other.

I had never thought of a career in industrial chemistry until I had left university. My university course was focused on medical science, pharmaceuticals and medical research. Even so the course gave a solid grounding for me to enter any industry that involved chemistry.

I was looking for jobs mainly within the pharmaceutical industry but applied for all jobs that caught my eye in some way. This job was the one I felt could give me the better career opportunities.

Bachelor of Medical Science at the University of Western Sydney. I know that this is not the Medical field, but chemistry principles and instruments are the came in all fields.

Three years

I spent some time while looking for full time work at the university tutoring and being a lab technician. A lab technician keeps the labs running and ensures that each class has the equipment that it needs.

What are the tasks that you do in a typical day?

I analyse gas and oil samples that have been collected from wells all over Australia and the neighboring regions, i.e., Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor and the ocean. I use a lot of instrumentation such as a Gas Chromatograph (GC), Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS) and the Elemental Analyser Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (EA IRMS). The samples are introduced to the instrument and a result is generated. The data must then be interpreted.

Sample bags are filled up from a gas well head and taken back to the lab for analysis

I have to use my commonsense a lot of the time. If there is a problem with an instrument or a readout I have to use logic to find out where the problem is being made. To do this I have to know my chemistry and the workings behind each machine.

I love not being behind a desk. I have my own lab that I have exclusive use of and can organize it how I want it.
Being treated as an equal. I do not have my PhD or Honours but I am treated no less than those who do.

What has been a highlight of your career?

My department was hosting a conference in the Blue Mountains for a week. I was invited to go and met a lot of people who were highly respected in the Organic Geochemistry industry. There was lots of good food too.

Time constraints/deadlines. Instruments breaking down and running out of liquid nitrogen at critical times.

Has your career given you an opportunity to travel? If so, where?

I have only been with the CSIRO for just over two months, so I haven’t had much opportunity to travel yet. I will get to attend conferences and these could be anywhere in Australia. I also may be involved in field work on a boat or at an oil well somewhere.

Any graduate positions in chemistry, whether that is in Organic, Inorganic or Physical chemistry. I am qualified as an analytical chemist where I analyse any type of sample on different instruments, not just the ones mentioned. There is work in Research and Development labs in the medical, food and industrial industries.

Since petrol, oil and gas is integral to our society it is nice to know the research taking place in the petroleum industry.

As well as finding oils etc, the CSIRO is also investigating ways to reduce the green house emissions that the oils create.

It is very important to work with other scientists to ensure successful outcomes. All scientists are trained at different universities and have different experience, etc, so everyone will have a new angle on a problem. It is easier to work with a group of people to get the best possible result than struggle along on your own for weeks or maybe months getting nothing.

The work that I perform helps choose the petrol and oil for cars and machinery. Also soon our work should help reduce the greenhouse emissions produced from the wells.

I am not sure. I have no definite plan. I will definitely stay with the CSIRO for several years. After that, I may move to a new field. I am not restricted to petroleum or instrumentation operation. I will just have to wait and see what opportunities present themselves to me.

If you wish to ask Jenny for additional information, you can email UniServe Science and we will contact Jenny for you. Make sure you include Jenny's name and occupation in the Subject line.

You can find out more about Jenny's work from

• Petroleum Geochemistry Group of CSIRO
• CSIRO Petroleum
• Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC)

• Australian Petroleum Industry
• Amdel: Products and Services: Petroleum

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