Chemical Analysis Laboratory

Please describe the liquid.

• Aqueous?
• pH?
• Conductivity?
• Turbidity?
• Colour?
• Nature and percentage of settlable solids?
• Quantity available for test?
• Smell?
• Taste?
• Flammability?

Hi,

Thank you for all your answers. I like the american way but would need a lot of solution to test in several labs - I only have ~13mL.

• Aqueous? YES
• pH? N/A
• Conductivity? N/A
• Turbidity? Not realy, seems there are some granules inside.
  
• Colour? Yellow
• Nature and percentage of settlable solids? Look like flake crystals = granules above. ~ 10% flakes o the bottom when tube is in a vertical position.
  
• Quantity available for test? ~13mL
  
• Smell? It smells like an alcohol/glue type smell, but it's liquid all the time.
  
• Taste? Not sure i want to try that...
  
• Flammability? None.
  

See picture below. Plz let me know.

Thank you.

Try finding a lab that does RAMAN spectrophotometry and see what they can tell you through the glass and without destroying the material. It may at least narrow down your probable material mixture, and help to decide what destructive test (like HPLC) to use if necessary.

BTW, you say it's not flammable, but you also say it smells like alcohol or glue. An alcohol or glue smell is a sure idication of a flammable substance, afaik , so plan your tests and/or handling accordingly.

All of the chemical analysis I've had to do was spectrographic and for the purpose of establishing wear rates in engines using oil samples. I am amazed at how good they are.

There's no point in my recommending a lab here on the other side of the pond. I encourage you to inquire at the maintenance offices of a good sized commercial fleet operator, Keep doing that until you find one who does analysis on their fleet. Then ask who they use.

Granted, theirs would also be using petroleum samples. However, once you find a professional lab that does chemical analysis, if they can't do it they can likely refer you to a lab more specific to your needs.

L.J.

Answers to your questions will depend on the material you want tested. Assuming it is a water solution and you want micro-trace analysis, it will require a large quantity to be concentrated to obtain constituent concentrations high enough to be detected. Other assays may require a high degree of dilution to get them in a good range for analysis.

As for a UK lab, I can't help you there but in the US the Federal EPA has a quality assurance program where unknown samples are analyzed by a very large number of labs then the data is compiled as to how accurate/precise their analysis results were. You may be able to get similar information form the government there.

Good luck,

Ron

We really need to know more about the liquid solution. As has been stated, the type of analysis depends very much on the matrix of the liquid. For example if it is soil contamination type sample then it will need one type of analysis (water samples), if is drug based then it will need pharmaceutical analysis. If you know the basic components it will be easier for us to advise. I have been selling laboratory equipment in the UK for a number of years and know that 'whats in this?' is not an easy answer unless you can say 'this is made up of ... and I want to know how much'.

There are a number of analytical contract companies in the UK who can provide a service and there will be a cost involved. Again, how much depends on how much you want analysed.

Tony