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Density-gradient centrifugation (DGC) laboratory
This is a unique facility for separation of kerogen and coal components (macerals) by density. To our knowledge, we are the only such facility dedicated to coals and organic-rich shales in the U.S.
The heart of the equipment is a Beckman-Coulter Avanti J-20XPI centrifuge equipped with JCF-Z titanium and JS-7.5 rotors; an automated fraction collector; a Mettler/Parr DMA density meter; and a Sturtevant micronizer. |
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Hand-held XRF
A hand-held XRF, a Bruker Tracer III, is also housed in our lab. This is campus-wide equipment (Vice-Chancellor for Research Office) that can be used in-house or checked out to qualified users. This allows rapid analysis of cores and powders for major, minor, and trace elements.
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Sample preparation laboratory
We are equipped with complete wet lab facilities (including HF kerogen digestion capabilities, drying ovens, centrifuges, balances, etc.); crushing and coal sample preparation facilities; in addition to a Buehler Ecomet 250/Automet 250 grinder/polisher for pellet polishing.
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Other analyses
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We maintain close working relationships with other laboratories (academic, government, and commercial) for additional analyses including proximate and ultimate analyses of coals, isotopic analyses, and Rock-Eval analyses. We also have access to SEM and TEM on campus through the SIU Image Center.
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