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Analytical Capabilities

  • Analytical Services
  • Partnerships
  • Contract Research

The University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) maintains an analytical laboratory that offers a variety of services ranging from sample analysis to long-term collaborative research. Our experienced professionals, along with the state of the art instrumentation combine to provide you with an unsurpassed problem solving capability that can be tailored to your specific needs. The University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) maintains an analytical laboratory that offers a variety of services ranging from sample analysis to long-term collaborative research. Our experienced professionals, along with the state of the art instrumentation combine to provide you with an unsurpassed problem solving capability that can be tailored to your specific needs.

For more information about Analytical Tests or Equipment contact Mr. Gerald A. Thomas, Analytical Lab Manager (Tel: 859-257-0282).

 

Chromatographic Analysis

Gas Chromatography

  • (C1- C7, H2, CO, CO2, O2, N2)
  • Capillary/Packed Column (FID, TCD, SCD, NCD AND MSD detectors)
  • Simulated Distillations

Ion Chromatography

  • Cation scan (Li+, Na+, NH+4, K+)
  • Anion scan (F-, Cl-, Br-, NO3-, NO2-, PO43-, SO42-)

Liquid Chromatography

  • Separations: acid, base, neutral

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Spectroscopic Analysis

X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRD)

  • High temperature in-situ XRD
  • General Analysis and JCPDS Search
  • Clay Mineralogy

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)

  • Wavelength Dispersive

Electron Microscopy (SEM)

  • SEM/STEM

Infrared (FT-r.r.)

  • Solids/liquids
  • Transmission/Reflectance
  • In-situ heated ATRcell

RAMAN (FT Raman)

  • Solids/liquids

Ultraviolet/Visible (UV/VIS)

  • General Analysis

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Metal Analysis

  • Atomic Absorption
  • FIAS
  • Gaseous Hydride (GHAA)
  • Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS)
  • Inductively coupled ultrasonic nebulizer (ICP)
  • ICP/MS
  • Mercury-Specific Analysis

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Thermal Analysis

  • TGA
  • TGA/MS
  • TGA/DSC
  • DTA
  • TG/DSC/MS
  • DSC
  • DMA
  • LFA
  • Rheometer

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Surface Analysis

  • BET Surface Area and Pore Size Distributions
  • Partial or Full N2 Isotherm; static or continuous
  • Specialty Gas Adsorption
  • SEM/STEM
  • TPD-MS

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Particle Size Analysis

  • Malvern (0.1µ - 2 mm)
  • Laser Diffraction
  • Granulometer (1-128µ)
  • Dual laser diffraction (0.04 - 2000µ)
  • Multiple Sieve-Mesh Sizing (dry/wet)

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Physical Measurements

  • Calorimetry (BTU/lb)
  • Density (Liquid and Solid)
  • Surface Tension
  • Viscosity
  • TAM Micro Calorimeter
  • Distillations (ASTM D-86); (ASTM D-1160); (Prep 51)

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Sample Preparation

  • Low Temperature Ashing (LTA)
  • Open and Closed Vessel Microwave
  • Bulk Samples - (Crush/dry/riffle/blend); (Grinding/Milling); (Wet/dry sieving)
  • High Temperature Asher (1700° C)
  • Microwave Ashing Furnace
  • Sample Handling and Preparation (Grinding)
  • Sample Handling under Argon or Nitrogen
  • Prep Charges Drum Equivalent (Crushing, Drying, Riffle, Blending)
  • Sample Press
  • Sample Fluxer

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Coal/Coke Testing

  • Ultimate (M, A, C, H, N, S, O by Difference)
  • Proximate (M, A, VM, FC)
  • Fuel Test (M, A, S, BTU)
  • Moisture (Drying/Karl Fischer)
  • Volatile Matter
  • Ash
  • Major Elements in Ash - (MgO, Na2O, TiO2, SiO2, Fe2O3, Al2O3, CaO, K2O, P2O5, SO3)
  • Minor Elements in Ash - (Mo, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Ba, V, Mn, Rb, Sr, Zr)
  • Carbon and Hydrogen, Nitrogen
  • Inorganic Carbon (carbonate)
  • Sulfur forms (Pyritic, Sulfate, Organic by difference)
  • Heating Value (BTU/lb)
  • Trace Level Nitrogen
  • Chlorine
  • Ultimate and Proximate
  • Ultimate, Proximate, BTU
  • Ultimate, Proximate, and Sulfur Forms
  • Ultimate, Proximate, Sulfur Forms, and BTU
  • Free Selling Index
  • Fusion Temperatures of Ash (Oxidizing and/or Reducing ATM)
  • Hardgrove Grindability
  • Viscosity
  • Surface Tension
  • Oxygen (by Difference)
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Trace Level Sulfur
  • Trace Level Nitrogen
  • Mercury

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Petrographic Analysis

  • Petrographic Pellet Prep
  • Reflectance
  • Maceral Count
  • Microscopic Mineral Analysis
  • Blue Light/ UV Light Analysis
  • Fly Ash Petrography

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Adsorbent Carbons Analysis

  • Moisture at 140° C
  • Ash at 650° C
  • Apparent Density
  • pH of Activated Carbon
  • BET Surface Area
  • Particle-Size Distribution
  • Ball-Pan Hardness
  • Carbon Tetrachloride Activity
  • Iodine Number
  • Thermal/Chemical Activation

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Environmental Analysis

  • Acidity
  • Ammonia
  • Alkalinity
  • Bromide
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Chloride
  • Chloride, Residual
  • Chromium
  • Color
  • EP Toxicity-Extraction
  • Fluoride
  • Hardness, Total
  • Mercury (gas, liquid, and solid)
  • Nitrogen, Ammonia
  • Nitrogen, Nitrate
  • Nitrogen, Nitrite
  • Odor
  • Oil and Grease
  • pH
  • Phosphorus, Ortho
  • Phosphorus, Total
  • Sulfate
  • Sulfide
  • Sulfite
  • Solids, Total (TS)
  • Solids, Total Dissolved (TDS)
  • Solids, Total Suspended (TSS)
  • Specific Conductance
  • Surfactants
  • TCLP, Non-Volatile Prep
  • TCLP, Metals (8)
  • Turbidity
  • Temperature
  • Turbidity

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Electrochemical Testing

  • Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
  • AC and DC electrochemical measurements
  • Cycle life testing of electrochemical power sources
  • Electroanalytical measurements
  • Corrosion coatings analysis

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