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 (1,000 °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 displayed price includes the full CHNOS package with two parallel measurements and applies to conventional organic samples. The results are reported as wt-% of the initial sample. The addition of ash, drying, and dry loss measurements will increase the minimum required sample material 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. Analysis can be split into the following packages: CHN, O, and S.

N2 adsorption analysis to determine specific surface area, pore size, and total pore volume of solid materials. Specific surface areas (BET and Langmuir) and pore sizes (BJH and DFT) can be analyzed with this method. The required sample amount depends on the expected surface area. As a rule of thumb, at least 5 m2 of surface area should be available for measurement. Mesopores between 1.7 nm to 300 nm and micropores between 0.5 nm - 2nm can be analyzed. The following gas adsorption devices are used for this measurement: Micromeritics Gemini VII 2390, Micromeritics ASAP 2020, Micromeritics TriStar II 3020, Anton Paar Nova 800.

The molar mass distribution of biomass samples soluble in pure water or organic solvents (DMF, DMSO, and THF) is measured using size exclusion chromatography with a refractive index detector (SEC-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 SEC coupled with an ultraviolet detector at 256 nm wavelength. The lignin is dissolved in a suitable solvent before analysis, and the SEC system is calibrated with a polystyrene sulfonate standard. A borate buffer is used to set the pH for the eluent. The weight-average molecular weight (Mw) and number-average molecular weight (Mn) are reported. For absolute molecular weight, a GPC system coupled with a multi-angle light scattering (MALS) detector can be used. The mobile phase for this system is THF. An additional cost applies to this method.

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.

Analysis of the specific surface area of porous, solid materials according to the BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) theory. Analysis can be performed with N2 or Kr gases, depending on the expected surface area of the material. BET curve and the specific surface area (in m2/g) are reported. The required sample amount depends on the expected surface area. As a rule of thumb, at least 5 m2 of surface area should be available for measurement. The following gas adsorption devices are used for this measurement: Micromeritics Gemini VII 2390, Micromeritics ASAP 2020, Micromeritics TriStar II 3020, Anton Paar Nova 800.

This analysis provides quantitative information about the crystalline and amorphous phases within your sample using high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD). A standard analysis includes: Quantification of crystalline phases as weight percentages, Quantification of the total amorphous content, High-resolution powder diffraction data and the resulting diffractogram, A comprehensive test report detailing the findings. For more advanced needs, we also offer total scattering/pair distribution function (PDF) analysis to reveal the local atomic structure in amorphous or nano-structured materials. Do not hesitate to ask for a quote.

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. 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.

Determination of the total organic fluorine (TOF) content in combustible materials using combustion ion chromatography (CIC). By default, TOF is analyzed as total fluorine (TF). If required, total inorganic fluorine (TIF) can be measured as well, and TOF calculated as the difference between TF and TIF. 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.

During this biomass carbohydrate analysis, the sample is first hydrolyzed, after which the acid-insoluble fraction is filtered, and monomeric sugars are analyzed with anion exchange liquid 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. The reporting unit is g/kg or % dry content.

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). The extractives content is reported as %.

Analysis package for solid recovered fuel (SRF) covering basic fuel properties and elemental composition. The following parameters are analyzed: Parameter Limit of reporting (LOR) Moisture content 0.5% Ash content (550°C) 0.1% Gross calorific value Q(V/gr/d) 0.5 MJ/kg Net calorific value Q(V/net/d) 0.5 MJ/kg CHNOS 0.1% Total chlorine (Cl) 0.01% Total fluorine (F) 0.01% Elements by ICP: As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Tl, V, Zn 0.01–10 mg/kg DW Results are reported in the respective units on a dry weight basis where applicable.

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 high-performance liquid chromatography. 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. The carbohydrate content and degradation products can be analysed from liquid biomass samples as well.

Determination of ash content in solid biomass samples by combustion in a muffle furnace (typically at 525°C to 600 °C) according to NREL/TP 510-42622 or an in-house method. Results are reported as ash content in w-% on a dry matter basis. Samples are prepared by grinding and drying prior to analysis, where needed. The method is applicable to a wide range of solid biomass materials.

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 qualitative analysis of the sample. More extensive sample preparation and quantitative analyses are subject to additional costs.

High-resolution ICP-MS (ICP-SFMS) measurement package for biomass-based samples, including paper, wood, pulp, and lignin. The analysis includes pre-treatment of the sample with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide in a microwave-assisted digestion process. Concentrations of the following elements are measured: Element LOQ (mg/kg) Al 0.7 As 0.08 Ba 0.04 Ca 4 Cd 0.005 Co 0.005 Cr 0.03 Cu 0.1 Fe 0.2 K 1 Mg 1 Mn 0.04 Mo 0.004 Na 50 Ni 0.04 P 2 Pb 0.04 Ti 0.002 V 0.02 Zn 0.2 The results are reported in mg/kg d.m. for each element.

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).

Determination of elemental impurities in pyrolysis oil by microwave digestion (in-house method) followed by ICP-OES analysis according to EN ISO 11885.  The following elements are quantified after microwave digestion: Al, Ag, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, Zn, S, Si, and P. Results are reported in mg/kg. The displayed price applies to small sample sets; larger batches and recurring orders are eligible for volume discounts.

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.

This ash content test is conducted according to ASTM D482 or EN ISO 6245, and is typically used for pyrolysis oil, fuels, crude oils, lubricating oils, waxes, and related petroleum matrices where ash-forming material is considered an undesirable impurity. In the test, the sample is ignited under controlled laboratory conditions at 775 °C, and the remaining ash residue is determined gravimetrically. Results are reported as numerical values in w%, with a typical quantification limit of 0.001 w%.  Both ASTM D482 and EN ISO 6245 are generally applicable in the approximate ash range of 0.001 to 0.180 w% for petroleum products that do not contain intentional ash-forming additives; products with such additives may require a different method. Please note that the displayed price applies to small sample sets, while larger batches and recurring orders are eligible for volume-based discounts.

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.

Bulk density of solid biofuels, such as biochar or wood pellets. The default method is ISO 17828, but DIN 51705 can be followed upon request. The ISO method has two standard measuring containers with a volume of 5 l or 50 l, depending on the particle size of the material: small (<12 mm) with 5L volume and larger with 50L container. The test portion volume must exceed the volume of the measuring container by at least 30%.

Determination of free monomeric sugars in liquid biomass samples by in-house HPLC method with refractive index detection. The following sugars are quantified: glucose, mannose, galactose, xylose, and arabinose. Results are reported in mg/ml. Organic acids (formic acid, acetic acid, levulinic acid) and furans (furfural, 5-HMF, 5-MF) can be included in the analysis upon request. Please indicate which parameters you would like reported when requesting an offer. Solid particles are removed by filtration prior to analysis, where needed. The lower displayed price applies to free sugar analysis only, while the higher one also includes organic acids.

Determination of gross and net calorific value in pyrolysis oil, petroleum products, and related combustible materials by bomb calorimetry according to ASTM D240, ASTM D4809, or EN ISO 18125. The sample is combusted in a calibrated bomb calorimeter, and the calorific value is calculated from the measured temperature rise. Results are reported in kJ/kg. The price includes the determination of all parameters required for gross and net calorific value calculation: C/H/N (DIN 51732 or ASTM D5291), S (ASTM D4239), ash at 815 °C (DIN 51719), moisture (DIN 51718), and calculated O content. Please disclose the number of samples when requesting an offer, as large batches and recurring orders are eligible for volume discounts.

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.

Thermogravimetric proximate analysis of biochar or biocoke samples using TGA in accordance with ASTM D7582. Testing is commonly required when biochar is used to replace fossil coal as a fuel or reducing agent, for example in steel or iron production. The analysis determines the following basic quality parameters: Moisture content , Ash content, Volatile matter content, Fixed carbon content. Results for parameters other than moisture are reported as percentages (%) on a dry matter basis. Moisture content is typically measured at 120 °C, and ash and volatiles content at 950 °C, but these temperatures can be adjusted if required. Upon request, equivalent furnace-based methods (DIN 51719, DIN 51720, and DIN 51734, or EN ISO 18123 and EN ISO 18122) can be used to determine the same parameters. In addition to this basic analysis package, we offer a broad range of additional biochar analyses, including calorific value, biobased carbon content (ASTM D6866), bulk chemical composition (CHNOS), physical characterization, elemental impurity, and organic contaminant analyses (PAHs, dioxins and furans, etc.). Contact us for more information.

Analysis package for black liquor and pulp mill process liquids, covering the following parameters: Parameter Method Dry matter content SCAN-N 22 Carbonate SCAN-N 32 Dissolved calcium (Ca) In-house Sodium (Na) SCAN-N 38 Results are reported in mg/kg dry basis or mg/L. Please note that a sample destruction fee will be applied to smelly or otherwise hazardous samples. The displayed price applies to small sample sets; large batches are eligible for discounts.

The bromine index indicates the amount of bromine-reactive unsaturated compounds in petroleum products and is used as a measure of olefinic reactivity and product stability. This analysis is primarily intended for pyrolysis oils and is performed according to DIN 51774-1, which determines bromine-reactive content by titrimetric measurement.  Results are reported in g/100 g. Samples must be liquid, homogeneous and particle-free, or easily filterable. The displayed price applies to small sample sets; larger batches and recurring orders are typically eligible for volume discounts.

CHN analysis for the determination of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen in pyrolysis oil, petroleum products, lubricants, and related liquid or solid organic sample matrices. Testing is conducted according to the ASTM D5291 standard. A weighed test portion is introduced into an elemental analyzer and converted by high-temperature combustion to measurable gaseous products, which are then quantified instrumentally to calculate the CHN content. Results are reported in m/m%. The displayed price applies to small sample sets, while larger batches and recurring orders are typically eligible for discounts. Please request a quote from our testing experts using the form below.

Measurement of carbonyl content in pyrolysis oils and other thermochemically derived liquid biomass products. Elevated carbonyl levels can cause instability during storage and processing, making this measurement relevant for quality control and feedstock assessment. The analysis is performed according to the ASTM E3146 method, in which carbonyl compounds react by oximation and are quantified by potentiometric titration. Results are reported in mol/kg. The displayed price applies to small sample sets, while large batches and recurring orders are eligible for discounts. Please request a quote from our testing experts using the form below.

Measurement of mercury in pyrolysis oil, crude oil, and other petroleum products according to ASTM D7623. In the test, the sample is thermally decomposed by combustion at approximately 700 °C; mercury is selectively trapped on a gold amalgamator and quantified by cold vapor atomic absorption. Samples must be acidic or neutral; basic samples cannot be analyzed. Results are reported in µg/kg, with a typical LOQ range of 20-400 µg/kg, depending on the sample matrix. The displayed price applies to small sample sets. Larger batches and recurring orders are eligible for discounted pricing, so please disclose the number of samples upon requesting an offer.

Trace elemental analysis of biochar or biocoke, covering the following elements: As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn. The measurement can be conducted in accordance with DIN 22022-1 or ISO 16968. The available digestion methods are HNO3, HCl, and HF with microwave digestion. The European Biochar Certification (EBC) recommends microwave-assisted digestion for biochar samples.

Quantification of monoterpenes and related terpene compounds in liquid biomass samples by an in-house GC-MS method. The typical LOQ is approximately 10 mg/kg per compound, depending on the exact sample matrix. The following compounds are quantified: α-Pinene, Camphene, β-Pinene, 3-Carene, α-Terpinene, D-Limonene, p-Cymene, γ-Terpinene, Terpinolene, Linalool, L-(−)-Fenchone, Fenchol, Isoborneol, DL-Menthol, (+)-Borneol, Camphor, (−)-α-Terpineol, (±)-β-Citronellol, (R)-(+)-Pulegone, α-Cedrene, trans-Caryophyllene, Geraniol, α-Humulene, Nerolidol, (+)-Cedrol, β-Eudesmol, α-Bisabolol, Phytol, Myrcene, Terpinen-4-ol, 1,8-Cineole. The displayed price applies to small sample sets; larger batches and recurring orders are eligible for volume discounts.