Laboratory
The activities of Cedre's laboratory can be divided into two main categories:
- efficiency tests conducted as part of response product validation (dispersants, sorbents and washing agents) and carried out according to standard test procedures
- specific tests for experimental studies conducted by Cedre in the case of major pollution incidents. A large number of different measurements (qualitative and quantitative), mainly for hydrocarbons but also a wide variety of chemical products, can be taken using a wide range of analytical equipment.
Furthermore, the laboratory can accommodate personnel from partner organisations for technical training on hydrocarbon analysis.
Characteristics
The laboratory is equipped with: a UV/visible spectrophotometer,
a viscosimeter, a gas phase
chromatograph mainly used at high temperatures, two gas chromatographs with detection by mass
spectrometry, each equipped with a multifunction injection system (one SBSE and dynamic headspace, the other liquid injection and static headspace),
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (refractive index
detectors and diode array). Tests can be carried out at
controlled temperatures in an air conditioned room. Furthermore,
the laboratory is also equipped with field-based equipment
to continuously take measurements of the water and air
(SF-UV and PID).
Usage
Other than testing response products, the laboratory allows
specialised tests to be carried out as part of Cedre’s
experimental programmes. Thus, weathered oil can be characterised
as soon as a sample is taken, thanks to use of the nearby
flume tank. Similarly, characterisations are conducted
during recovery equipment trials to establish their efficiency
(water content of oil, viscosity). Specialised equipment
(GC/MS) is also available to analyse oil samples taken
in the natural environment to identify their origin. These
tests can be for an operational purpose (so-called administrative
testing) or a legal purpose, such as in the case of the
pollution caused by the Prestige.
Cedre's laboratory
Analysis equipment by GC/MS equipped with an SBSE multifunction
injection system