 |
| |
| Q: How do you determine chemical change? |
| A: The primary test for chemical change is the FTIR
(Fourier Transform InfraRed Analysis). It is coupled with Thermo
Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) in determining the levels of chemical
change in the synthetic fuel product. |
| |
|
| Q: What is FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy)? |
A: Coal is a complex sedimentary material derived form plant remains.
Coal originated as peat deposits formed in prehistoric swamps through
the accumulation of plant components. Coal is therefore a very diverse
set of organic chemicals.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is a powerful tool for probing
the functional groups in coal. Functional groups are chemical structures which
are bonded to aromatic carbon rings. It is at these rings that chemical reactions
take place. FTIR uses a beam of infrared light to identify molecular structures
by the absorption of infrared light at different frequencies. FTIR is used as
a nondestructive method of analyzing functional groups or two bonded atoms found
within the frequency range of the beam as it scans through the sample. |
| |
|
| Q: How does the FTIR work? |
| A: The FTIR basically “looks” at
the chemical bonds present in the parent coal and the synthetic fuel
product. It then
generates a curve with peaks that represent those chemical bonds.
A comparison of the peaks reveals the changes in those chemical bonds
which determines the levels of chemical change. |
| |
|
| Q: What lab testing services does
Headwaters Energy Services provide? |
| A: Headwaters Energy Services will provide FTIR,
Pyrolysis, Proximate Analysis, Sulfur, BTU analysis for samples sent
in by its licensees and customers
using the
Headwaters Energy Services’ reagents. All testing performed for
customers using
Headwaters Energy Services’ reagents is free of charge.
Headwaters Energy Services will also provide a report summarizing the testing results
to the customer. Additional testing can also be performed by contracted
laboratories for cost. |
| |
|
| Q: How quickly can I expect results for my samples? |
| A: Generally,
Headwaters Energy Services can issue a full report within 10 working
days after receipt of the samples. Rush sample reports can be processed
within 5-7 days. If a customer desires only FTIR analysis for a preliminary
evaluation of chemical change, the samples can be processed within
3 days of sample receipt. |
| |
|
| Q. Does
Headwaters Energy Services sell its proprietary reagent and other synthetic
fuel industry services to non-licensees? |
| A. Yes. Contact sblack@headwaters.com for additional information. |
| |
|
| Q. Does
Headwaters Energy Services charge a royalty to non-licensee customers? |
| A. No. |
| |
|
| Q. How many PLRs have been issued to facilities utilizing
Headwaters Energy Services proprietary reagents? |
| A. Due to confidentiality obligations,
Headwaters Energy Services is unable to
say how many PLRs have been issued to our licensees and other customers. |
| |
|
| Q. What is Section 29? |
| A. Click
here to view the History & Congressional Intent, Ecomonic
Benefits, Environmental Benefits, and Research concerning Section
29. |
