Chemical and environmental analyses
Gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS)
Characteristics
- Manufacturer Agilent Technologies
- Model: 7820A (GC system) et 5977E (MS detector)
Uses
- Used to separate volatile compounds in the gaseous state using a temperature gradient and then identify and/or quantify them using the MS detector.
Technical specs
| Injection volume |
0,5 to 1,5 µl |
| Autosampler capacity |
16 samples |
| Flow |
0,5 to 1,5 ml/min |
| Oven temperature |
From 8 °C above ambient temperature up to 425 °C. |
| Carrier gas |
Helium |
| Source |
Electronic ionization SST EI 350 |
| Analyzer |
Single quadrupole |
| Software |
MassHunter |
| Value interval of m/z ratios in scan mode |
50–1050m/z |
| Database |
NIST |
| Sensitivity |
Can detect and quantify at the ppb scale |
| Column type |
Capillary (DB-WAX 30 m, HP-5MS 30 m, etc.) |
Pyrolysis module
Characteristics
- Manufaturer: Analytical Inc.
- Model: Pyroprobe 5000
Particularities
- Has a platinum filament to perform pulsed pyrolysis.
- Can be easily linked to a gas chromatography system.
- Has three modes of operation: pyrolysis, drying and cleaning.
- Can perform 8 analyses per sample
Uses
- Performs sample pyrolysis, a pre-treatment that can be used prior to identification or quantification in gas chromatography (GC), mass spectrometry (MS) and infrared spectrometry (FTIR).
- Can be used to collect analyses following slow pyrolysis, thermal desorption, or pyrolysis gases.
Technical specs
| Available quartz tube capacity* |
PN104A1-3007 : 40 mg
PN1005-0348 : 250 mg |
| Available vessel capacity* |
PN1001-0346 : 50 mg
PN104A1-3001 : 300 mg |
| Pulsed pyrolysis temperature |
Up to 1400 °C in 1 °C increments |
*For a purely organic sample, use between 10–100 µg
Microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometer (MP-AES)
Characteristics
- Manufacturer: Agilent Technologies
- Model : 4210
Particularities
- Compared to ICP-MS, the MP-AES is a less expensive alternative because the unit operates with nitrogen rather than argon as the fuel gas source.
- This instrument is very sensitive: the detection limit of the instrument is in the ppb range and no sample pre-treatment is required.
- Allows the determination of traces of sensitive elements such as arsenic (As), selenium (Se), antimony (Sb) and other elements using hydride generation, as well as mercury (Hg) using the MSIS (Multi-Mode Sample Introduction System).
Uses
- Allows simultaneous detection and quantification of multiple elements in a sample by nebulizing the sample and injecting it into a nitrogen plasma to form monoatomic ions.
- Relevant in the environmental field for the determination of heavy metals as well as nutrients following digestion of organic matter.
Technical specs
| Autosampler |
Model SPS 4 |
| Nitrogen generator |
Model 4104 |
| Detector |
CCD array (532 x 128 pixels) |
| Plasma gas |
Nitrogen (99.5% purity) |
| Plasma gas flow rate |
Up to 25 L/min at 500 kPa. For the determination of sulphides: 10 L/min at 500 kPa. |
| Wavelength range |
178–780nm |
| Resolution |
< 0,050 nm |
Ionic chromatograph (IC)
Characteristics
- Manufacturer : Dionex
- Model : ICS-5000
Particularities
- This unit offers good performance due to the pressure that the system can reach up to 6000 psi.
Uses
- This device is used to separate ionic compounds using ion exchange columns and then to detect and measure them using a conductivity detector. This device is very relevant for the dosage of sugars as well as organic acids.
Technical specs
| Software |
Chromeleon 7 |
| Pumps |
Binary |
| Injection volume of the autosampler |
0,1–5 ml |
| Detector |
1. Electrochemical (ED) Dionex ICS-5000
2. Conductimetric (CD) Dionex ICS-5000 |
| Separation method |
Isocratic and gradient |
| Number of elution solvent lines |
4 (A,B C et D). |
| Elution flow rate |
0,001 – 0,100 ml/min |
| Maximum pressure |
6000 psi |
| Max. column compartment temp. |
70°C |
| Maximum temperature sensor |
35°C |
| Available columns |
1. CarboPac SA10 4x 250 mm (sugars)
2. IonPac AS11-HC 4 x 250 mm (nutrients) |
Fourier Transformed InfraRed Spectrometer (FTIR)
Characteristics
- Manufacturer : Agilent Technologies
- Model : Cary 630
Particularities
- This device works with the attenuated total reflectance (ATR) technique. Available ATR accessories germanium crystal, for samples with high carbon content, and diamond crystal.
- This device can take both transmittance and absorbance readings.
Uses
- This device is used to determine the types of chemical bonds as well as the functional groups of one or more molecules that make up a liquid or solid sample. This type of analysis can allow the identification of a compound (compared to a standard or in a database) or the quantification of a compound.
Technical specs
| Mass |
3,8 kg (8 lbs) |
| Dimensions |
20 x 20 cm |
| Database |
- Agilent Polymer Handheld
- Defined Polymer and Polymer Additives
- Commercial Polymer and Polymer Additives
- Internal Innofibre database
|
Thermogravimetric analyzer
Characteristics
- Manufacturer : PerkinElmer
- Model: TGA 8000
Particularities
- Analyzes solid and liquid samples
Uses
- Used to study mass variation over time at a specific temperature or temperature variation. Allows to determine certain material characteristics such as degradation temperatures, moisture absorbtion and organic and inorganic compound content.
Technical specs
| Maximum temperature |
1200 °C |
| Minimum temperature |
Room temperature |
| Operation temperature ranger |
Room temperature— 1200°C |
| Temperature scan accuracy |
1 °C |
| Feed gas |
Compressed air and nitrogen 5.0 |
| Autosampler capacity |
48 samples |
Elemental analyzer CHNS
Characteristics
- Manufacturer: Elementar
- Model: Vario MACRO CUBE
Particularities
- Macro type elemental analyzer capable of analyzing larger samples than a standard elemental analyzer.
- Has a chlorine analyzer (add-on module).
Uses
- Allows to simultaneously determine the carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulfur percentages contained in a sample. With the add-on module, it is also possible to establish the chlorine content
Technical specs
| Combustion temperature |
1200 °C |
| Mass range for a sample |
~1 mg — 200 mg* |
| Combustion gas |
Oxygen (purity > 99.996%) |
| Autosampler sample capacity |
60 samples |
| Carrier gas |
Helium (purity > 99.996% |
| Element sensitivity |
C: 40 ppm, H: 0 ppm, N: 100 ppm, S: 2 ppm * |
*Relative to the method used
Flash point determination device
Characteristics
- Manufacturer Anton Paar
- Model : Pensky-Martens
Particularities
- Allows to determine the PMCC flash point (closed cup).
- Equipped with a safety system to protect against overheating and fire (automatic shutdown).
- Has a memory for 1000 tests, can perform some statistical analysis (min, max, average, repeatability)
Uses
- A device used to determine the flammable point (flash point), which is the lowest temperature at which a flame ignites the vapours of a fuel
- The device is of PMA 5 type which are mainly suitable for the characterization of fuels such as diesel, fuel oil, kerosene, or other potentially flammable liquids
Technical specs
| Small cup capacity |
5–15ml |
| Large cup capacity |
75 ml |
| Maximum temperature |
405 °C |
| Minimum temperature |
Room temperature |
| Resolution |
0.1 °C |
| Sensor |
Glass probe Pt100 |
Pycnometer
Characteristics
- Manufacturer : Micromeritics
- Model : AccuPyc II 1340
Particularities
- This device works by a gas displacement method, a simple, fast, inexpensive, and non-destructive method.
Uses
- This instrument is used to accurately and precisely determine the absolute and apparent density of a sample which may be a powder/solid.
Technical specs
| Gas |
Nitrogen 5.0 or helium 5.0 |
| Volume of available chambers |
10, 35 et 100 cm3 |
| Precision |
± 0.01% of the nominal volume of the filled chamber |
Specific surface area analyser (BET)
Characteristics
- Manufacturer : Micromeritics
- Model : TriStar II
Particularities
- A Micromeritics VacPrep 061 deaerator system is available with the instrument to put the sample under vacuum and remove any impurities.
Uses
- This device is used to determine the specific surface area, pore volume and a wide range of pore sizes of materials through gas physisorption.
- Ideal device for characterizing biochar and activated carbons.
Technical specs
| Gases for the determination of specific surface area |
Nitrogen 5.0 |
| Gas for free space measurement |
Helium 5.0 |
| Range of measurable pore sizes |
0,35 – 100 nm |
| Quantitative limit of the specific surface area |
0,01 m2/g nitrogen unit |
| Quantitative limit of total surface area |
0,1 m2/g nitrogen unit |
| Quantitative pore volume limit |
4 × 10-6 cm³/g |
Gas analyzer (PCA3)
Characteristics
Analysis of oxygen (O2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen monoxide (NO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
Particularities
- Portable device
- 10 hours of battery life
- Maximum operating temperature: 538 °C
Uses
- Semi-continuous analysis of flue gases from several types of fuel
Technical specs
| Manufacturer |
Bacharach |
| Model: |
PCA 3 |
| Oxygen (O2) |
0–20.9% |
| Carbon dioxyde (CO2) |
0-20% |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) (1st interval) |
0-4000 ppm |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) (2nd interval) |
4001-20 000ppm |
| Nitrogen monoxyde |
0-3000 ppm |
| Sulfur dioyxde |
0-5000 ppm |
Gas analyzer (Nova 375K)
Characteristics
- Oxygen (O2), carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) analysis
Particularities
- Resolution 0.1% O2, 1ppm for CO and CO2
- Electrochemical oxygen and CO sensors / Infrared detector for CO2
- Response time: 10–15 seconds for O2; and 20–30 seconds for CO and CO2
Uses
- To check combustion efficiency, burner performance and control furnace and boilers
Technical specs
| Manufacturer |
Nova |
| Model: |
375 K |
| Oxygen (O2) |
0–25% |
| Carbon dioxyde (CO2) |
0-20% |
| Carbon monoxyde (CO) (1st interval) |
0-2000ppm |
| Carbon monoxyde (CO) (2nd interval) |
0-4% |
Compostability Determination Assembly
Characteristics
- Assembled according to ASTM 6868 / ASTM 6400 / ASTM 5338 standard
Uses
- Determination of disintegration, anaerobic biodegradation and ecotoxicity of bioplastics composts or cellulosic packaging.
Technical specs
| Number of samples |
12 |
| Duration of the test |
6 months |
YSI 7100 MBS sugar analyser
Mütek particle charge detector
Metrohm 660 conductometer
Microtox toxicity analyser
HACH DR-6000 spectrophotometer
YSI dissolved oxygen meter
Dissolved air flotation cylinder
