The analytical group combines nuclear magnetic resonance capabilities, chromatography/mass spectrometry, and a variety of instrumentation for measuring emissions and properties of materials in combustion, gasification, and ambient environments. While some of the instrumentation belongs to the Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, ICSE takes advantage of capabilities throughout the university through collaborations. Much of the instrumentation has been specially developed at the University of Utah or in collaboration with external partners. In addition, the analytical group has comprehensive capabilities in measurement and characterization of particulate matter.
Nuclear magnetic resonance
ICSE has access to four solid-state NMRs, and the University of Utah's chemistry department has seven liquid instruments. Some combustion products such as tars are also analyzed in the 500 MHz liquid instruments. The solid-state instruments in the NMR group include a 100 MHz Chemagnetics (Varian) CMX two-channel spectrometer with a 7.5 mm reduced carbon background probe. This instrument is used almost entirely for the analysis of fossil fuels or other amorphous carbonaceous materials. The group also has two other Chemagnetics (Varian) two-channel instruments (a 400 MHz CMX and a 200 MHz CMX), each with a normal 7.5 mm dual channel probe. These two instruments are mainly used for the measurement of C-13 and N-15 chemical shift tensors in various model compounds. A triple-channel Varian Infinity Plus 600 MHz NMR with a 4 mm triple channel probe and a 5 mm dual channel probe was just installed in December of 2003. This instrument is currently being used for HETCOR and double cross-polarization experiments and for decoupling another nucleus in addition to the usual proton decoupling. These instruments are located in the Gauss Haus, a state of the art new NMR laboratory that was recently completed. In addition, we have place an order for a 800 MHz spectrometer that will be capable of experiments on both liquids and solids. The delivery will be about one year from now.
Advanced Analysis Insert
ICSE’s instrumentation includes two FTIR spectrometers, five ion mobility (and GC/IMS) spectrometers, three thermogravimetry systems (including a high-pressure analyzer), four gas chromatographs, and specialized facilities for laser probe analysis, infrared microscopy, aerosol generation, aerosol characterization, and advanced computer graphics plus modeling. ICSE researchers pioneered a thermal-desportion GC/MS technique that requires small amounts of sample and enables us to identify the composition of aerosols collected during short time periods. In addition, our current flame diagnostic capabilities include: high-speed laser extinction, high-speed, visible-spectrum emission spectroscopy, high-speed Raman spectroscopy and particle image velocimetry.
Gas-phase instrumentation
Our gas-phase analyzers include:
- Total hydrocarbons - VIG Industries FID Model 20
- CO/ CO2 - a California Analytical Nondispersive Infrared (NDIR) analyzer.
- NOX species, specifically NO, NO2 and overall NOX, with a Thermoelectron chemiluminescent analyzer.
- Oxygen
- SOx
