Instrumentation

MKS Multi-Gas® 2030 FT-IR Gas Analyzer - AFR has six 2030 Multi-Gas Analyzers, which employ a 2100 Process FT-IR Spectrometer to obtain high resolution infrared spectra which are compared to quantitative library reference spectra for high sensitivity and accurate analysis of most gases and vapors. The FT-IR is coupled to a Model 20/20™ long path gas cell with non-spherical, aberration - correcting mirrors. The cell provides more than twice the throughput of a standard White Cell. Robust quantitative analysis software can simultaneously analyze up to 50 gases.

Gas Chromatograph - A Carle AGC 400 gas chromatograph, is available for gas analyses. Both FID and TCD detectors are used with automatic switching of packed columns to analyze for H₂, N₂, O₂, CO, H₂S, and all hydrocarbons up through C4`s. Larger hydrocarbons can be estimated from a backflush peak.

Gas Chromatograph - A HNU Model 421 gas chromatograph is available for liquid analyses. It has a FID detector and is fitted with a fused silica capillary column.

Waters HPLC system equipped with a model 450 variable wavelength UV-VIS detector is modified to be able to operate in the scanning mode for the whole spectral range (200-700 mm). The system was recently equipped with a concentrator-fiber optic IR transmittance micro cell to collect direct hyphenated FT-IR spectra in the HPLC-FT-IR coupled mode.

TG/FT-IR - This apparatus allows a thermogravimetric (TG) analysis to be performed on a sample at the same time as the evolved products (including condensables) are analyzed by FT-IR. This instrument has been developed by AFR in conjunction with Bomem, Inc. (an FT-IR manufacturer). The apparatus consists of a Dupont 951 TGA coupled with a multi-pass infrared cell. As the sample is heated, the evolving volatile species are carried out of the furnace directly into the cell for analysis by a Bomem Michelson 100 FT-IR and provides for on-line quantitative analysis of CO, CO₂, H₂O, CH₄, C₂H₆, C₂H₄, C₂H₂, C₃H₈, benzene, heavy paraffins, heavy olefins, HCN, HCl, NH₃, SO₂, CS₂ COS, CH₃OH, CH₃COOH, CH₃COCH₃, and other species.

Laboratory Reactor Systems - Several laboratory reactors are available, ranging from 1 inch to 6 inch diameters. These can be used for programmed pyrolysis, gasification or oxidation reactions.

FT-IR Spectral Emissometer - The Model 205 NB and Model 205 WB Emissometers are Bench Top FT-IR based instruments designed specifically to facilitate simultaneous measurements of surface spectral emittance and temperature using optical techniques over the Near and/or Mid-IR spectral range at temperatures ranging from 50 to 1000oC. This patented technology (U.S. patent #5,239,488) can be used to measure radiative properties (emittance, reflectance, transmittance) as a function of temperature for a wide range of materials. Provided are measurements over a wide spectral range from 12,500 to 500 cm^-1 (0.8 to 20 microns) for the Model 205 WB, and from 6000 to 500 cm^-1 (1.7 to 20 microns) for the Model 205 NB.

Black Body Sources - The Mikron M335 blackbody calibration source is a general purpose high temperature source which provides a very quick heat-up time of only 20 minutes to reach 1400 °C. A self-tuning digital PID controller with adjustable set point holds the temperature to within 1 °C. An independent over temperature alarm and control system prevents heating element burnout; an internal fan keeps the cabinet surface at safe, comfortable temperature.

ISI SEM and PGT X-Ray Analyzer - For characterizing the morphology and impurities of materials, an ISI model SX-30 scanning electron microscope with Princeton Gamma-Tech System 4 x-ray analyzer is available. This microscope system has an ultimate resolution of 60A. The attached x-ray analyzer system has the capability of measuring elements heavier than sodium.