Characterization
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
The Discovery SDT 650 device is a very advanced, accurate, and automated thermo-analytical instrument. This simultaneous thermal analyzer operates in a simultaneous mode: thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). This instrument is ideal for detecting small weight changes and thermal heat flow. This advanced instrument is also capable of operating in various modes and operating conditions, such as burning the sample in a controlled atmosphere (Inert gas and/or Air) and precise temperature control at various rates and timely planned steps. Besides these characteristics, the tremendous autosampler feature enhanced the instrument testing producibility operational time by taking 29 samples and automatically placing them individually and taking the measure. The SDT measurement can provide quantitative information, such as materials compositional analysis and decomposition thermograms of multicomponent systems. Depending on the operating atmosphere and temperature position, the tests can reveal decomposition and oxidation reactions, and/or physical processes such as vaporization, sublimation, and desorption of materials in various forms (solid, powder, gels, and liquid).
High-Pressure TGA (HP-TGA)
High-pressure TGA instruments measure the thermal stability and decomposition kinetics of materials as weight change, as a function of temperature, heating rate, and reaction atmosphere, and add a third dimension to thermogravimetric analysis: the influence of pressure on the weight change of a material. The DynTHERM TGA is an advanced gravimetric instrument featuring a patented Magnetic Suspension Balance (MSB) that enables measurement of weight changes of materials (weighing range up to 20/25 g, resolution 10 µg) under extreme conditions of high pressure (up to 50 bar), in the presence of a variety of gases, vapors, or steam, from room temperature (RT) to 1700°C. Among the unique features, the DynTHERM TGA instruments are equipped with: Patented MSB technology that provides the unique Automatic Sample Decoupling (ASD) feature for real-time drift corrections, increasing weight accuracy to previously unattainable levels, especially for long-term measurements; Low- or high-pressure sample cells with electrical heaters for accurate temperature control under all pressure and gas flow conditions, using a cold wall reactor design setup, implying only the use of corrosion-resistant ceramic materials in the high-temperature zone; A unique forced gas flow through option for applications that require a forced flow of reaction gas through the sample material bed; and Sophisticated gas & vapor dosing and blending systems with pressure controllers which ensure the highest data quality while providing flexibility to address the widest range of applications. These systems provide a continuous flow of pure reaction gas, a gas mixture, or a gas and vapor mixture with controlled composition to the sample reactor cell of the TGA.
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
The DSC 2500 (TA Instruments−Waters LLC, New Castle, DE) is a very advanced and accurate thermo-analytical automated instrument that measures the thermal behavior of materials associated with thermal transitions. The calorimetric measurements are performed by measuring the amount of heat required to increase the sample's temperature. The instrument can measure materials in various forms (solid, powder, gels, and liquid). Properties measured by the DSC include heat of reaction, heat capacity, glass transitions, phase changes (melting and crystallization), product stability, cure/cure kinetics, and oxidative stability.
HR-20 Rheometer
The HR-20 rheometer (TA Instruments–Waters LLC, DE, USA) is a multi-purpose modular rheometer that allows for the use of a certain attachment/accessory based on the desired application. Current attachments include but are not limited to, parallel plates, double-gap concentric cylinder, grooved vane and rotor, and Tribo-Rheometry accessories. These properties of rheometer tests include viscosity, elasticity, and viscoelasticity, which are crucial in understanding the behavior and flow characteristics of various substances. The applications of rheology include various industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, polymer production, and oil drilling, among others. Additionally, it plays a vital role in advancing our understanding of complex materials and their behavior under different conditions.
Zetasizer Ultra
This newly developed instrument of Malvern Zetasizer's advanced range is a multifunctional instrument. It can measure solution or suspension particle size distribution (0.3 nm to 10 μm) or/and zeta potential simultaneously. This instrument is capable of operating in static or dynamic light scattering in different modes, such as Non-Invasive Back Scatter DLS (NIBS) or Multi-Angle Dynamic Light Scattering (MA-DLS) with a temperature control system. The DLS is widely used in various fields, including biology, chemistry, and material science, to study nanoparticles, macromolecules, and colloidal systems. This method provides valuable information on particle size, polydispersity, and aggregation states quickly and efficiently. The Zetasizer is an advanced equipped with a titrator device to control the pH of the solution dynamically with continuous measuring of zeta potential and particle size distribution. The electrophoretic mobility component measures zeta potential, providing insight into particle stability and surface charge. The instrument is widely employed in research, pharmaceuticals, and nanotechnology for studying particle behavior in various solutions. With its quick and accurate measurements, the Zetasizer plays a crucial role in understanding colloidal systems and particle interactions.
Fourier-Transform Infrared
The IRAffinity-1S is a state-of-the-art FTIR spectrometer utilized for advanced infrared spectroscopy. This versatile device allows for precise examination of molecular structures and functional groups in diverse samples. It excels in sensitivity and spectral resolution, rendering it ideal for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Equipped with cutting-edge features like a single-hologram interferometer and a high-energy ceramic light source, it ensures accurate measurements across a broad spectral range. With its user-friendly interface and robust data processing capabilities, the IRAffinity-1S serves as a valuable tool for researchers, chemists, and analysts in pharmaceutical, chemical, and academic laboratories.
Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
The TOC device is an analytical instrument that determines the overall quantity of organic carbon in a sample. It achieves this by employing high-temperature combustion or oxidation, converting organic carbon into carbon dioxide (CO2), and measuring it with a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) detector. TOC devices find extensive use in environmental, pharmaceutical, and industrial settings to monitor water quality, evaluate organic contamination levels, and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements. Offering swift and precise analysis, they are indispensable for assessing organic carbon content in different substances and understanding their environmental implications.
UV-Visible Spectrophotometer
The UV-Visible Spectrophotometer is used for rapid-mixing kinetics measurements. The double-beam Czerny-Turner monochromator equipment has a wavelength range of 190–1100 nm with a variable spectral bandwidth of 1.0 and 2.0 nm. This instrument allows for control of the temperature of samples at every stage of an experiment with a single or 8-cell Peltier system with temperature ranges up to 110 °C. It also has different scan ordinate modes (Absorbance, % Transmittance, % Reflectance, Kubelka-Munk, log (1/R), log (Abs), Abs*Factor, Intensity), which improves the analysis of the results obtained.
Polarized Optical Microscope (POM)
The POM (PZ620T, United Scope LLC, CA, USA) is a very essential instrument used to visualize the morphology of the materials. Our POM is an advanced instrument that works in dual illumination (reflected or transmitted light modes) with controlled light polarization. Samples in many forms (solids, powders, liquids) can be measured with temperature controlling and live digitalized imaging with a magnification range of 50X to 1000X.
Spinning Drop Tensiometer (SDT)
A spinning drop tensiometer is an instrument for measuring the interfacial tension between two immiscible liquids. It works by rotating a horizontal capillary filled with a bulk phase and a drop phase. The diameter or curvature of the drop, which is elongated by centrifugal force, correlates with the interfacial tension. Measure ultra-low IFT as low as (10^-3) for all EOR chemicals up to 200oC temperature. The Spinning Drop Tensiometer – SDT allows optical determination of liquid-liquid IFT by shape analysis of a drop of a light phase surrounded by a heavy phase.
Interfacial Tension
The high-pressure interfacial tension chamber is manufactured by Biolin Scientific, Finland. The system consists of stainless steel (EN 1.4401) chamber that enables surface and interfacial tension measurements at high pressure and various temperatures, using the pendant drop technique. For sealing, an O-ring is equipped with the standard system according to the used fluids. At the top of the chamber, there are three connection ports for a temperature probe, sampling, and bulk fluid introduction. For each IFT/contact angle measurement, brine or other fluid is introduced inside the chamber. Then, an oil droplet can be created through a needle at the interface between the needle and the liquid phase using the pendent technique, IFT/contact angle can then be determined for a given time interval.
Turbidity Meter
A turbidimeter, also called a turbidity meter, measures the turbidity of liquids. In water samples, turbidity refers to the intensity of the light reflected by particles. In addition to measuring water quality, turbidity can also be used for processors to reduce waste, improve sustainability, and control consumables. It is designed to detect when a liquid media reaches a pre-determined turbidity level. For industrial manufacturing processes, turbidity meters are designed for in-line turbidity measurement. The turbidity analyzers are used to measure turbidity continuously during crystallization, phase separation, biomass growth (cell density), beer filtration, and other critical processes. Color measurements can also be performed with certain turbidity meters.
Capillary Suction Time (CST)
The Capillary Suction Time (CST) device is a simple and widely used instrument to determine the rate at which a liquid is drawn into a porous material through capillary action. The device consists of a vertically oriented glass or plastic tube with a calibrated capillary diameter, and it is equipped with a funnel or reservoir at the top to hold the liquid sample. It is particularly useful for measuring the rate of water absorption in porous materials like filter papers, fabrics, or soil. It provides valuable information about the permeability and wicking properties of these materials, which are crucial in various applications such as filtration and geotechnical engineering, and absorbent product development.
Total Acidity Number (TAN)
A titrimetric analysis allows us to measure the amount of potassium hydroxide in milligrams that are needed to neutralize the acids in one gram of oil. It is an important quality measurement of crude oil. The TAN value indicates to the crude oil refinery the potential for corrosion problems. It is usually the naphthenic acids in the crude oil that cause corrosion problems.
Viscometer
Our viscometer can measure the viscosity of any fluids. Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to deformation or flow, and it is a crucial property in various industries and applications. We can measure the viscosity of different fluids to viscosities up to 2000C. This DV2T Gel-Timer instrument can also be used as a standard rotational viscometer with the purchase of any standard viscometer spindle set or measurement accessory and carries all the same viscometry functions as a standard DV2T.
Gas Chromatography (GC) - Multiple Gas
The GC (SRI 8610C Multiple Gas #3 gas chromatograph SRI, Instruments, Torrance, CA) is used to perform compositional analysis of the gas mixtures. It consists of two detectors, a thermal conductivity detector (TCD) that detects all the gases from 200ppm to 100% except hydrogen, and a flame ionization detector (FID) that can detect CO and CO2 from 1ppm to 50,000ppm. These two detectors are attached to two packed columns connected in parallel (3′ molecular sieve/6′ Hayesep-D columns). The molecular sieve column is used for permanent gases, while the Hayesep-D column allows analysis for hydrocarbons up to C5.