The Analytical Services Unit of the Institute strives to offer a robust range of analytical services
centred around chemical technology but able to cater to a variety of other disciplines. These services
are rendered to both in-house researchers and the general public using an array of state-of-the-art
equipment manned by well-trained professionals. Some of these analyses can be classified as spectroscopy,
chromatography, water analyses, fuel testing, surface area, porosity and bulk density of powders amongst others.
Spectroscopy based analysis using analytical equipment such as Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
(AAS) which is capable of quantifying Nickel, Cadmium, Chromium, Manganese, Magnesium, Zinc, Lead,
Iron, Potassium, Copper. Cobalt and Sodium. Additional equipment includes Ultra
Violet — Visible Light Spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy
(FTIR) for analysis of vitamins and other chemicals.
Chromatography based analysis using a High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC), Amino Acid Analyzer (AAA) and Gas Chromatographs (GC) fitted with mass spectrometer (MS), Flame Ionization Detectors (FID) and Thermal Conductivity Detectors (TCD). The Institutes GC-FID is calibrated for quantification of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMES) and 07-040 hydrocarbons amongst others.
The Institute is also able to conduct a variety of analysis on different types of powders.
These include but are not limited to surface area and porosity of powers using a surface
area analyser, bulk density, and by the end of the 1st quarter of 2023 thermogravimetric analysis using a DTG-60AH.
The Institute is also able to carry out a number of analyses on a variety of liquids. For water samples, analysis
such as turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) are routinely conducted at the Institute.
Accurate readings of density as well as viscosity of liquids can also be determined at NARICT using a Mettler Toledo densitometer and Brookefield Rheometer. The Rheometer is also capable of measuring change in viscosity with temperature.
The DPR accredited fuel testing laboratory is also able to provide cloud and pour point analysis. density and kinematic viscosity of petroleum products as well as a ntrnber of other parameters required by the petroleum industry. Other analytical services offered by the Institute include freeze drying, spray drying, Soxhlet extraction and rotary evaporation. Details of other analysis that can be provided by the Institute is regularly updated on our website
