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SARTEC owns an analysis laboratory divided in seven main areas; it is equipped with high level analytical instruments, such as: NMR, LC-MS, XRD, XRF, ICP/MS, Electron microscopy, GCs and GCs-MS.
The laboratory works both for third parties and to give support to the needs of environmental or oil-refining consultancy projects. The main goal is to solve problems, not only to give measuring data. The laboratory constitutes of the following parts:

  • Sample preparation lab
  • Chromatography lab
  • Spectroscopy and Microscopy lab
  • Catalysis lab
  • Oil lab
  • Experimental technique lab
  • Treatment lab

The services include the following areas of interest:
WATER

  • Chemical analysis of primary water: potable, aqueduct, aquifer, well;
  • Chemical analysis of surface water (river, lake, sea) related to pollution and eutrophication processes;
  • Chemical analysis of industrial and civil wastewater. 

AIR

  • Industrial stack emission analysis, municipal solid waste and industrial incinerators;
  • Air quality control: industrial perimeters and urban centers;
  • Dispersion calculation of pollutant emitted from one or more sources.

POLLUTED SITE CHARACTERIZATION (SOIL AND WATER)

  • Contaminated site characterization plans (soil and water analysis);
  • Contaminated site environmental survey;
  • Feasibility studies and remediation projects (soil and water analysis);
  • Monitoring and declaration of completed remediation (soil and water analysis).

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE

  • Chemical risk map elaboration for gas, liquid and solid pollutants in work place;
  • Air quality monitoring in work place or in external areas;
  • Microclimatic parameters’ monitoring (wet-bulb and dry-bulb temperature, globe thermometer temperature, humidity, air velocity, pressure);
  • Microclimatic index calculation (TE, TEC, WBGT, HSI, P4SR).

WASTE

  • Chemical-physical analysis of industrial waste, classification and individuation of waste disposal or recovery sites.

FORENSIC CHEMISTRY

  • Identification an quantification of active substances in different matrices;
  • Date of pollution;
  • Consultancy activity.

OIL PRODUCTS OR CORRELATED

  • Raw materials;
  • Intermediates;
  • Products;
  • Catalysts.

ADDITIVES
On this materials the following physical parameters are determined: Flash Point, RVP, AVP, Freeze Point, Cloud Point, Pour Point, Viscosity, Water in Oil and Salt in Crude, XRF analysis on oil product, GC analysis on specific detectors, physic and simulated distillation, reformulated gasoline, naphtha and gas oil analysis, analysis of metals with AA and/or ICP-AOS.


LABORATORIES

Sample preparation lab
In this area samples (water, soil, water and air) are manipulated so to get them adapt for analysis. In this area the measures of the chemical physical parameters of water (waste, potables, aquifers and sea), soil (agricultural, and coming from polluted or reclaimed sites), industrial waste are executed.
Instruments

  • Ion chromatograph (cations and anions analysis);
  • UV/VIS spectrophotometer (passband bandwidth: 2nm);
  • TOC (total, organic and inorganic carbon) analyzer;
  • Analyzer for nutrients, cianydes, etc with the possibility of up to six determinations;
  • Automatic titrator;
  • Karl-fisher titrator;
  • Microcoulometry;
  • Automatic Kjeldahl distillation and digestion unit;
  • COD reactor;
  • BOD (10 places);
  • Potentiometers (with pH and ion selective electrodes);
  • Conductivity meter, ossimeter, clorimeter, torbidimeter, TSD (bench and portable); 
  • Microwave ovens (for high pressure and vapor pressure digestion);
  • Jar test (for flocculation and release tests);
  • Muffles, controlled atmosphere ovens, stoves;
  • Analytical, technical and microbalances;
  • Calcimeter.

Chromatography Lab
In this area qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic mixtures are executed. The analyzers allow analysis of compound of any origin, with high accuracy, in traces and ultra traces.
The compounds, singles or divided in classes of any matrix, are analyzed by using various purifications systems and modern detectors. The laboratory can analyze liquid, solid and gas samples both as received or after extraction and/or purification.
Instruments

  • N° 5 Gas chromatographs with digital control of pressure and flow, equipped with auto samplers for liquids and gas and with FID, ECD, PID, NPD, FPD, HWD detectors. The gas chromatographs are specifically configured; for each kind of analysis a gas chromatograph is dedicated;
  • N° 1 large-volume gas chromatograph to inject sample volumes from 10 to 250 micro liters, for ultra-traces organic analysis; in this case the GC is configured with NPD and FID detectors;
  • N° 1 HPLC with gradient quaternary pump equipped with auto sampler and UV-VIS detector at fixed wavelength, emission or excitation programmable fluorescence detector, UV-diode array detector;
  •  N° 1 GC/MS system, consisting of a quadrupole mass spectrometer (mass range 2-800 amu) equipped with EI (electronic impact) and CI (positive and negative chemical ionization) sources, interfaced with a pressure digital controlled gas chromatograph;
  • N° 1 LV-GC/MS consisting of a quadrupole mass spectrometer (mass range 2-1000 amu) equipped with EI (electronic impact) and CI (positive and negative chemical ionization) sources, interfaced with a pressure and flow digital controlled gas chromatograph and a Large Volume auto sampler;
  • N° 1 GC/MS/MS system, consisting of a ion trap mass spectrometer (mass range 2-800 amu) equipped with EI (electronic impact) and CI (positive and negative chemical ionization) sources, interfaced with a pressure digital controlled gas chromatograph and head space sampler and liquid sampler;
  • N° 1 LC/MS /MS consisting of a ion trap mass spectrometer (mass range 100-4000 amu) equipped with ESI (Electrospray Ionization Source) and APCI (Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization) sources, interfaced with a quaternary gradient or direct injection HPLC;
  • N° 1 ASE (accelerated solvent extraction) extractor.

Spectrometry and Microscopy lab
This area of the laboratory is equipped with instrumentation that uses the principles of atomic and molecular spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence, electron microscopy and optics.
Depending on the required analysis the most adapt technique is chosen. Among the atomic spectroscopic methods it is possible to choose atomic emission with UV-Vis detector or mass spectrometer, and atomic absorption with graphite furnace or flame. They allow quantitative analysis of chemical elements in concentrated or extremely diluted solutions.
The molecular spectroscopic methods, available in SARTEC, are NMR and Raman spectrometers, UV-Vis-NIR and FT-IR spectrophotometers, equipped with the accessories for analyzing samples  of various natures (solids, liquids, gas, films and dough etc.) to have both structural and quantitative analysis.
The spectroscopy laboratory is also equipped with a dust x- ray diffractometer, a x-ray fluorimeter, and a total reflection x-ray fluorimeter. With these analyzers it is possible to have quantitative and structural information about solids composition.
SARTEC owns optical and scanning electron microscopes; by using them it is possible to execute elemental analysis and compositional crystalline phase analysis (qualitative and quantitative) on liquid and solid samples.  
Instruments

  • N° 2 Atomic absorption spectrophotometers equipped with graphite furnace, flame and cold vapors atomizer;
  • High resolution simultaneous optical ICP equipped with ultrasounds nebulizer, hydride formation system and auto sampler;
  • ICP/MS equipped with dynamic dilution system, segmented sampling, solid phase chelation, development of hydrides and auto sampler;
  • NMR spectrometer with 300MHz magnet, complete with probes for liquid or solid samples at variable temperature, also in micro quantities;
  • N° 2 FT-IR spectrophotometers, one of which dedicated to gas analysis, complete of a long path cell and MCT detector;
  • MicroRaman, complete of optical microscope for qualitative analysis of solid or liquid samples in very small quantities;
  • Very high resolution and sensitivity UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer for solid, film and liquid samples in three electromagnetic spectrum regions
  • X-ray diffractometer equipped with 3kW generator with copper and iron tubes, curved graphite crystal monochromator;
  • X-ray fluorescence spectrometer equipped with rhodium tube, front window and eight crystal analyzers, including those for fluorine, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon;
  • Total reflection x-ray fluorescence spectrometer equipped with 3kW generator and copper, molybdenum and tungsten tubes;
  • Scanning electron microscope (SEM) with 10 nm resolution, variable pressure and dispersion energy microanalysis system;
  • N° 2 Optical microscopes; one of them can execute contrast phase analysis and the other one metallographic analysis.

Catalysis lab
This laboratory is equipped with instrumentation that can be used for the chemical-physical characterization of industrial catalysts, coming from the petrochemical industry, and for the development and application of analytical control methods to guarantee a better use of the plants. The activities of the lab are executed synergistically with those in the spectroscopy – microscopy lab.
Instruments

  • Surface area and porosimetry analyzer equipped with an accessory for chemisorption;
  • Typical applications: determination of isotherms, multipoint surface area and single point BET, Lamguir; distribution of pore size methods BJH and DH; micropore analysis methods V-t, alpha, MP, DR, DA HK, SF, DFT, ESW
  • Elemental analysis instrument
  • Laser diffraction granulometer equipped with accessories for solid (humid dispersion) and liquid (dry dispersion) compound  analysis
  • Thermo gravimetric balance with differential scanning calorimeter.

Gas analysis by FTIR
Typical applications:

  • Loss in weight determination;
  • Purity determination;
  • Fusion temperature and glass transition determination;
  • Heat capacity determination.

Oil lab
In the oil lab, research activities for the optimization of oil refining process are, mainly, carried out; they are executed through the characterization of raw materials, intermediates and products. The aim of this activity is:

  • A better use of the raw material and of the other process resources;
  • A better answer to the more and more stringent environmental laws, directed to limit the impact of the production process and of the products (cleaner fuel).

Instruments

  • TBP distiller for crude distillation curve determination;
  • Under vacuum distiller (ASTM D 1160);
  • Atmospheric distiller (ASTM D 86);
  • POTSTILL distiller;
  • N° 3 gas chromatographs, one of which dedicated to the PONA analysis, one equipped with PFPD micro detector for sulphur compound speciation and one with detector for gas analysis;
  • N° 2 SIM-DIS gas chromatographs, dedicated to the simulated distillation of feeds and intermediates;
  • N° 1 “Reformulyzer” Chromatograph;
  • Liquid Chromatograph, equipped with a quaternary gradient pump and a UV/VIS detector dedicated to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in gas oil;
  • C-H-N-S-O elemental analyzers;
  • Combined chemilunescence and UV fluorescence analyzer for the determination of respectively nitrogen and sulphur;
  • Graphite furnace atomic absorption (4 contemporaneous lamps) with auto samplers;
  • Asphaltenes extractor;
  • Equipment for oil product routine analysis, such as instrument for measuring density, viscosity, carbon residue, pour point, cloud point, freezing point, CFPP.

Experimental techniques‘ lab
In this area studies and development of innovative methods for oil and oil refining product characterization are the main activity.  For this purpose, conventional analysis techniques (liquid and gas chromatography) are used and innovative instruments or non-conventional techniques (usually not used for oil matrix analysis) are tested. This activity is strictly related to the continuous oil refining process optimization, required for obtaining more performing products with lower environmental impact. The developed analytical methods also apply to the feed characterization and to the products coming from pilot plant tests.
Instruments

  • Analytical liquid chromatograph, equipped with quaternary gradient pump and refractive index, UV/vis, diode array and fluorescence detectors;
  • Preparative liquid chromatograph, equipped with quaternary gradient pump and multiple wavelength UV detector;
  • Gas Chromatograph with AED detector;
  • Apparatus for thin layer chromatography coupled with FID (TLC/FID) detector;
  • Spectrofluorimeter equipped with optical fiber accessory and specimen holder for solid samples;
  • N° 1 GC/MS system consisting of consisting of a quadrupole mass spectrometer (equipped with EI (electronic impact) interfaced with a pressure digital controlled gas chromatograph and TRIPLUS auto samplers (liquid, head space and SPME).

Treatment lab
In this area, equipped with modern devices, the physical treatment and the sample collecting is guaranteed. Five kinds of treatments are executed; each type uses the following equipment:
Soil:

  • Jaw crusher with 100 mm open
  • Mill with iron, zirconium and tungsten carbide jars
  • Micro mill with zirconium and jade jars
  • Sieve for dry and wet granulometry
  • Sorter

Air

  • Canisters with (SILONITETM) with sampling/dilution and cleaning system
  • Environmental chamber (200 Liters) with temperature and environmental simulation system
  • N° 30 portable and personal samplers for dust and vapors in atmosphere and in work places
  • N° 5 PM10-PM2.5 and organic compound sampling systems for air quality monitoring according to the U.S. E.P.A. REF. METHOD N° 1087-062 “high volumes”
  • Environmental data acquisition and elaboration system for microclimate evaluation
  • Continuous NOx, CO, SO2, O3 analyzers, calibrators and meteorological station

Water

  • Portable monitoring and sampling systems

Emissions

  • Automatic isokinetic dust sampling system complete with:
      • Combined AISI 316 sample probe (sampling tube, Pitot tube, thermocouple); 
      • Aspiration pump with microprocessor for isokinetic automatic sampling and data elaboration (according to UNI 402 and UNI 10263);
      • Certified portable electrochemical cell analyzer for combustion gases;
      • Micro pollutant monitoring system (PCDD-PCDF-PCB-PAH);
      • AISI 316 heating probe with glass core and nozzles;
      • Heated box for containing glass filtration device;
      • Glass condensation system with liquid cooler;
      • Solid layer absorption system.

Microclimate

  • Microclimate station equipped with an acquisition system, sensors (UNI EN IS7726) and PC software for acquired data management.

The station is complete with four sensors:

  • Hot wire anemometer for air velocity monitoring;
  • Psychrometer for dry and wet temperature monitoring and the calculation of relative humidity and dew point;
  • Globo-thermometer for radiant average temperature monitoring;
  • Wet bulb temperature probe (natural ventilation) for wet temperature monitoring and the calculation of the WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) index.