Laboratory testing services

Determination of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen content of an organic sample. CHNS analysis (”LECO analysis”) is performed using a flash combustion method, where the sample is combusted under 25 kPa of O2 at an elevated temperature (1000 °C), followed by gas chromatography separation and detection using a thermal conductivity detector. Oxygen is analyzed by reduction on granulated carbon at 1480 °C, utilizing high-temperature thermal decomposition and conversion of oxygen into carbon monoxide before gas chromatography separation and detection with a thermal conductivity detector. The sample can be either solid or liquid, but water in the sample affects the results. In the case of aqueous samples, it is possible to dry the sample before analysis. The price includes two parallel measurements. The results are reported as wt-% of the initial sample. The ash, drying and dry loss measurements will increase the minimum required sample material need to 300 mg. The analysis gives the total carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen content of the material, but it does not identify any chemical structures. The measurement can be combined with other methods, such as GC-MS, 1H, and 13C NMR, to perform substance structure identification. Possible element packages: O, CHNS, and CHNOS.

BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) analysis to determine the specific surface area of solid materials.

Determination of the total organic fluorine (TOF) content in combustible materials by combustion ion chromatography (CIC). TOF analysis gives information about the total amount of organic fluorinated compounds. It can also be used to evaluate the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the material, even though individual PFAS compounds can't be analyzed with this method. The analysis is suitable for many different materials. Please describe the sample in detail when requesting an offer to help us prepare a quote quickly.

This metal screening analysis includes the semi-quantitative determination of 70 elements. The method can be used, for example, to determine the background concentrations of metals in environmental samples or to study the elemental distribution of unknown samples. Screening is also often performed to assess which metals should be analyzed by a quantitative method. The measurement is performed using a high-resolution ICP-MS technique (ICP-SFMS), which can identify very low elemental concentrations. A semi-quantitative determination of the following elements is included: Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, Ir, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn and Zr. However, please note that some elements may not be determinable due to matrix interference. During this semi-quantitative analysis, the instrument is calibrated for about 30 elements and the rest of the analytes are quantified using sensitivity factors for calibrated elements with similar mass and first ionization potential considering isotope abundances. Quantitative analysis is also available at an additional price. During this analysis, all elements are calibrated (excluding halogens and Os). Please ask for an offer for this service.

N2 adsorption analysis to determine specific surface area, pore size, and total pore volume of solid materials.

The molar mass distribution of biomass samples soluble in pure water or organic solvents (DMF, DMSO, and THF) is measured with gel permeation chromatography with a refractive index detector (GPC-RID). The system is calibrated with polystyrene and dextran standards. A Pullulan standard is also available upon request. In the case of lignin samples, molar mass distribution is analyzed using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled with a UV detector at 256 nm wavelength. The lignin is dissolved in a suitable solvent before analysis. The SEC system is calibrated with a polystyrene sulfonate standard. A borate buffer is used to set the pH for the eluent.

Determination of the acid-insoluble and acid-soluble lignin content of biomass samples. A solid biomass sample is hydrolyzed, and the acid-insoluble residue is filtered out to determine the amount of Klason lignin. Acid-soluble lignin is determined from the hydrolysate using a UV-VIS-spectrophotometer. The lignin content is reported as wt-% of the initial sample on an oven-dry basis. To obtain a more comprehensive picture of sample composition, we also offer a compositional analysis of biomass, which includes a determination of carbohydrate composition in addition to lignin content.

This biomass composition analysis includes the following determinations: Carbohydrate content, Lignin content , Degradation products. During the analysis, the biomass sample is hydrolyzed to break the carbohydrates into detectable monomeric sugars. These are analyzed using either ion chromatography or high-performance liquid chromatography, depending on the test standard. The acid-insoluble residue is filtered out and its ash content is determined to measure the amount of Klason lignin. Acid-soluble lignin is determined from the hydrolysate using a UV-spectrophotometer. Organic acids and furans can also be quantified upon request. Please let us know which compositional parameters you wish to be included in the report when requesting an offer for the analysis.

Gravimetric determination of extractives content in solid biomass. Non-volatile extractives soluble in organic solvents (acetone, n-heptane, ethanol) can be quantified. Other solvents can also be used upon request. The analysis can be performed according to standard ISO 14453 (acetone) or TAPPI T204 (other solvents).

Classic stable isotope analysis of carbon (13C) with isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The results are reported in the unit VPDB, ‰. The analysis is suitable for various sample materials. Please contact the Measurlabs expert for more detailed information on the analysis.

Lignin sample ash content measurement at 525°C. The result is expressed as a mass percentage of the ash from the initial sample on a dry matter basis.

Analysis package for solid recovered fuels (SRF) including the following measurements: Moisture, Ash, Calorific value , CHNSO, Elements (ICP): As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Tl, V. Total chlorine (Cl), total fluorine (F), or additional elements can be added to the analysis package. Please ask for an offer.

During this biomass carbohydrate analysis, the sample is first hydrolyzed, after which the acid-insoluble fraction is filtered and monomeric sugars are analyzed with ion chromatography or high-performance liquid chromatography, depending on the standard. Monomeric sugars included in the analysis are glucose, mannose, galactose, xylose, and arabinose. Results are given as anhydro-sugars and hydrolysis loss is not taken into account.

Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (py-GC-MS) analysis to determine the identity of an unknown polymer sample. During the measurement, the sample is instantaneously heated in an inert atmosphere or vacuum. This causes the sample to decompose into smaller molecular fragments which are then analyzed with GC-MS. Different types of polymers can be identified by their unique decomposition products. This includes, but is not limited to: PE, PP, PS, ABS, PMMA, PET, PC, PVC, polyamides, natural & synthetic rubbers, and more. The price includes the basic preparation and analysis of the sample. More extensive sample preparation is subject to additional costs.

Determining the content of S, Na, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Mg, Mn, Si, and P in a wood or pulp powder sample. The sample is microwave-digested using a solution of HF, HNO₃, and HCl before the analysis. The elements are then detected using the ICP-MS technique. Results are provided as milligrams per kilogram of the sample material.

Particle size distribution (PSD) is determined from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. The method is most suitable for small particles of 50 nm or smaller. Depending on particle shapes, the method includes calculating the diameters or lengths and widths of particles. In addition to size, TEM provides qualitative information about the surface morphology of the particles. TEM is a good option for irregularly shaped and non-spherical particles such as fibers, rods, and crystals that cannot be characterized meaningfully with traditional methods, including laser diffraction (LD) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). As a result of the analysis, TEM images and the determined particle size distribution for diameter (or length and width) are delivered. Dry samples are suitable for TEM as is. If the particles are wet or dispersed in a solvent, the sample may be dried with a suitable sample preparation method before imaging.

The Herzberg staining test by the ISO 9184-3 standard is used to determine the main fiber content of paper and board. In the test, a saturated solution of zinc chloride, iodine, and potassium iodide is used to color the paper. The solution affects fibers differently and enables the qualitative and quantitative analysis of mechanical, rag, chemical, and semi-chemical pulps, regenerated cellulose fibers, and synthetic fibers in paper and board.

Determination of hydroxyl group (-OH) content in lignin samples by 31P NMR. The method is suitable for lignin that has or might have free hydroxyl groups. The lignin is dissolved in a deuterated solvent (typically CDCl3:Pyridine), and an internal standard is added to the sample. Then, the hydroxyl groups in the sample + internal standard are phosphorylated, and the mixture is analyzed using 31P NMR. The number of free hydroxyl groups can be determined from the NMR spectra by comparing the phosphorus signal of the internal standard to the phosphorus signals of the phosphorylated sample material. The following OH-groups can be quantified (in mmol/g): Aliphatic OH, Phenolic OH, Carboxylic acid , Syringyl OH, Guaiacyl OH, Catechols, p-hydroxyphenyl OH, Total OH. The price can depend on whether your samples require specialized deuterated solvents or preparation conditions (i.e. high temperature or long dissolution time).

Metal analysis package for a lignin sample including the following elements: Al, Cd, Co, Pb, Hg, P, Na, Zn, Sb, Ca, Cu, Mg, Mo, K, Ti, As, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Si and V. The analysis is performed with ICP.

The chemical oxygen demand (COD) of pulp process liquid is measured according to the ISO 6060 standard to evaluate the environmental burden of the water sample. The sample must be kept at a temperature <5° C and analyzed within 5 days of sampling.

The Kappa number describes the lignin content or bleachability of pulp. With this test, the kappa number is determined as per the ISO 302 standard, which applies to all kinds of chemical and semi-chemical pulps within a Kappa number range from 1 to 100. For pulps with higher Kappa numbers, the ISO 3260 procedure is recommended.