Analytical Chemistry and Other Laboratory Services

The Southern Research Power Systems and Environmental Research Department in Birmingham, AL, offers diverse laboratory test procedures, conducted in state-of-the-art facilities, ranging from bench-scale testing of catalyst samples to chemical analyses of coals and fly ashes. These tests cover a range of services, including but not limited to particle size distributions, fly ash resistivity, ash permeability, and microscopy. A price list is available for many of the standard offerings in our laboratories; additionally, our Windows-based, ESP/Resistivity Model for single-chamber and multi-chamber designs is available for individual purchase.

Fly Ash Characterization, Including Particle Size

Southern Research offers numerous laboratory tests to characterize fly ash and other solid residues in powder form. Particle density is determined using a helium pycnometer. Three instruments are available for measuring particle size distributions: a BAHCO Particle Size Analyzer; a Microtrac X-100 Analyzer; and a Shimadzu CA-P4 Centrifugal Particle Size Analyzer. Specific surface area is measured with a BET instrument. Additionally, our laboratory can measure the ash mineral analysis of the sample and Loss on Ignition; CHN analysis is also available.

We offer specialized instrumentation, including optical and scanning electron microscopy, for determination of uncompacted bulk porosity and bulk permeability. In addition, Southern Research offers tests on coals that include proximate and ultimate analysis as well as metals analysis of the coal ash.

Fuel Analysis

Southern Research conducts analysis and testing of various fuel types in our state-of-the-art laboratories or at other reputable testing firms. Based on client requests, coal is the most commonly tested fuel source. Typical tests include:

Ultimate and proximate analyses
Heating value, ashed mineral analysis
Base: acid ratio
Silica value
T250 temperature
Fouling index
Slagging index
Grindability index

In addition, we offer the capability to conduct specialized analyses on other solid fuels, including various biomasses and petroleum coke; liquid fuels can also be tested.

Analytical and Physical Chemistry

Southern Research laboratories feature complete analytical and physical chemistry capabilities. Instruments for sample analysis include:

CEM Corporation MDS-200 Digestion Microwave
Dionex ICS-1500 Ion Chromatography System with AS40 Auto-Sampler
Dionex Model 3000 (DP, DC, EG, EO) Ion Chromatograph System
Agilent Technologies Model 7700 ICP-MS with AXS 500 Series AutoSampler
Agilent Technologies 1200 Series HPLC System
Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 200 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer
Milton Roy Spectronic 21D Spectrometer
Shimadzu Model GCMS-QP2010 Plus Spectrophotometer with AOC-201 Auto-Injector
Perkin Elmer FIMS 400 Flow Injection Mercury System with AS-90 Auto-Sampler
Brooks Rand MERX Mercury Analysis System

Model III Atomic Fluorescence Spectrophotometer
Total Hg Purge & Trap
Hg Speciation Purge & Trap
Hg Speciation GC & Pyrolysis

Oakton pH 1100 Series pH/ORP Meter
U.S. Filter PureLab Plus Ion Exchange Water Purification System
Parr 1356 Bomb Calorimeter
Environmental Express Hot Block
Hach Model DRB200 Digital Reactor Block
Thermo Scientific Sorvall T1 Centrifuge
Thermo Scientific Genesys 20 Spectrophotometer
Orion 5 STAR pH, ISE, Conductivity, and DO Benchtop System
LaMotte TC-3000 TriMeter (Turbidity, Chlorine, Color)
Denver Instruments A-250 4-Place Balance
AND Corporation HR-200 4-Place Balance

Fly Ash Resistivity Measurement (Laboratory Method)

We developed the standard laboratory testing protocol for fly ash resistivity available from the IEEE (Standard Test Method 584-1984), and Southern Research continues to provide excellent laboratory test facilities to conduct resistivity measurements on fly ash samples from around the world. Specifically, we offer the capability to conduct both the standard ascending and descending temperature mode tests. Up to four samples can be tested simultaneously. In addition, we offer measurement of acid resistivity (at a single temperature and SO₃ concentration and moisture level). Sodium depletion resistivity can also be measured (at one temperature with no moisture and no SO₃).

Wind Tunnel Test Facility

The Southern Research Wind Tunnel Test Facility can be used for the calibration of Pitot tubes, hot wire anemometers, annubars, and other equipment. Additionally, the performance of various particulate sampling instrumentation and monitors (aerodynamic, optical, electrical) can be easily evaluated in the facility using a variety of fly ash or other powders.

The Wind Tunnel Test Facility incorporates a fan, in-duct heater, 40-foot-long test section, and a fabric filter; the test section ducting is 12 inches in diameter. Gas temperatures of up to 300°F can be generated, and flue gas velocities up to 60 ft. per second can be maintained. An orifice plate provides for accurate flow control and monitoring, and three sets of six-inch diameter test ports provide an array of test equipment arrangements in either vertical or horizontal configurations. Laboratory equipment in the test facility provides for the injection of various dusts for instrument calibration; the fabric filter insures clean gas is returned to the point of injection.

Laboratory and Bench-Scale Testing

Southern Research offers extensive laboratory-, bench-, and pilot-scale facilities that provide the capabilities needed to perform fundamental and applied research and demonstrations of virtually any power-systems or related cleanup technology. Our facilities and associated monitors, measurement devices, and instruments - combined with the analytical chemistry laboratories at Southern Research - provide the ideal setting for handling non-standard analyses and materials.

Testing capabilities include:

Determining the rates of reaction of gas-gas, gas-solid, and gas-liquid reactions at given temperatures and pressures and under specific (even unusual) gas compositions
Obtaining quantitative measurements of reaction product compositions and associated physical phenomena
Determining the condensation temperature of particular species in a complicated gas mixture (with or without reactions taking place)
Determining the complete composition of exotic solid samples that may be difficult for standard laboratories to handle (including trace metals, hydrocarbons, aromatics, halide content, and tars)
Complete physical characterization of exotic or small-volume samples (including density, porosity, heat capacity, meso- and micro-pore surface area, pore-size distribution, heating value, fly ash resistivity, and Foam index)

Sorbent Analysis

Sorbents are widely used in the power industry to remove pollutants and potential corrosive or otherwise destructive halides, sulfides, metallic compounds, tars, organics, nitrogen compounds, or other harmful species from the exhaust or process gas. Southern Research offers the capability to evaluate any and all sorbent types for any purpose; this includes the evaluation of sorbents for chemical activity, reactivity, selectivity, and utilization as well as for complete physical characteristics.

Southern Research has performed a significant volume of work related to the valuation and characterization of sorbents designed for scavenging, including:

HCN
SO₂
SO₃
H₂SO₄
Hg
HgCl₂
HCl
NH₃ (and other nitrogen compounds)
Trace metals (i.e., Pb, Cd, As, Se, Ni, and their derivatives)
Tars and other organics
H₂S

These evaluations may be performed at temperatures and pressures as low as atmospheric conditions, or they may be performed at temperatures and pressures as high as 2000°F and 400 psig. In addition to reaction, adsorption, desorption, utilization, and deactivation characterization, Southern Research can also thoroughly characterize the chemical and physical properties of sorbents, including:

Density
Surface area
Chemical structure
Chemical composition
Surface speciation
Attrition resistance
Particle size distribution
Grindability

Micro Analyses

Southern Research offers the analytical equipment and capabilities to thoroughly microanalyze solid and powder materials, including:

Solid fuels
Sorbents
Fly ash
Char
Ash process or reaction byproducts
Chemical feedstocks
Catalysts

Our specific microanalysis capabilities include: determination of fine-particle size distribution; size segregated composition of small particles; micropore and mesopore internal surface area; pore-size distribution; refractive index of crystal structures; true density; porosity; surface shape and composition; and particle density.

The Southern Research microanalysis laboratory utilizes a Micromeritics Flowsorb II 2300 surface area analyzer to obtain internal surface areas and pore-size distributions of solids and powders. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) can be used to obtain scanning electron micrographs of microscopic particles. The SEM can also perform Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy on these particles and solid substances to determine the elemental composition of microscopic differences in a given material.