Analytical Chemistry | Laboratory and Bench-Scale Testing | Sorbent Analysis | Micro Analyses
Power Systems and Environmental Research at Southern Research offers many laboratory test procedures ranging from bench-scale testing of catalyst samples to chemical analyses of coals and fly ashes. We have developed a price list for many of the standard offerings of our laboratories. These tests cover a wide range of services - particle size distributions, fly ash resistivity, ash permeability, microscopy, etc. We also offer for sale copies of the updated, Windows-based, ESP/resistivity model for both single-chamber and multi-chamber designs. Our analytical chemistry offerings include:.
Southern Research offers a number of 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 - BAHCO Particle Size Analyzer, Microtrac X-100 Analyzer, and a Shimadzu CA-P4 Centrifugal Particle Size Analyzer. Specific surface area is measured with a BET instrument. Our laboratory can measure the ash mineral analysis of the sample and the Loss on Ignition. CHN analysis is also available. Specialized instrumentation can determine the uncompacted bulk porosity and the bulk permeability. Optical and scanning electron microscopy are offered. We offer tests on coals including proximate and ultimate analysis as well as metals analysis of the coal ash.
In our resistivity laboratory we can measure the standard ascending and descending resistivity of ash samples following the IEEE Standard Test Protocol. Up to four samples can be tested simultaneously. We also offer measurement of acid resistivity (at a single temperature and SO3 concentration and moisture level). This requires four days for equilibration time. Sodium depletion resistivity can also be measured (at one temperature with no moisture and no SO3). This test requires three-weeks to complete.
Southern Research offers real-time flue gas analysis using an MKS Instruments Model 2030 MultiGas FTIR gas analyzer. This FTIR-based analyzer is capable of ppb to ppm sensitivity for multiple gas species in a variety of applications including process monitoring, flue gas monitoring, and selective catalytic reduction performance monitoring. The instrument can perform analyses in flue gases containing up to 30% water, and can simultaneously analyze and display more than 30 gases. With permanently stored calibration spectra on up to 200 inorganic and organic gas species, the need for costly calibration-gas cylinders is greatly reduced. Some of the more common gas species the instrument can detect include H2O, CO, CO2, SO2, H2SO4, NH3, HCl, and NO.
Southern Research conducts measurement of sulfur trioxide by use of the Controlled Condensation Method. This technique provides for accurate determination of this species as well as sulfur dioxide simultaneously. In dirty flue gas environments, we use an inertial separation probe (QSISTM) to prevent the gas stream from passing through a dustcake layer. A hot-gas dilution system is incorporated with the QSIS probe to ensure accurate measurement of vapor phase SO3 in flue gas streams below the acid dewpoint, such as those found downstream of wet scrubbers. We have also developed techniques to quantify the portion of SO3 attributable to ammonium bisulfate formation which is likely downstream of SCR deNOx systems.
Vapor-phase mercury concentrations are measured with a Tekran Model 2537A mercury analyzer. Flue gas is extracted with a QSIS inertial separation probe and the sample gas is conditioned with a dry conditioning system followed by a chiller for moisture removal. A four-place switching box allows the monitoring of test probes both upstream and downstream of the control device under investigation. The system provides semi-continuous, vapor-phase mercury monitoring for both total and elemental concentrations. A unique mercury-spiking system allows a known concentration of elemental mercury to be introduced at the entrance to the sampling nozzle in the flue gas. Thus this elemental spike experiences the same sampling path as the elemental mercury in the actual flue gas.
Analysis and testing of various fuel types are conducted at Southern Research, either in our laboratories or at other reputable testing firms. Coal is the most common fuel source that we are asked to test. Typical tests include:
Other more specialized tests can be conducted. These types of analyses can also be conducted on other solid fuels such as various biomasses, petroleum coke. Liquid fuels can also be tested.
Contact:
Ken Cushing
205-581-2381
cushing@southernresearch.org
Analytical Chemistry | Laboratory and Bench-Scale Testing | Sorbent Analysis | Micro Analyses