CERC Facilities and Services
The Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Materials Engineering for Unconventional Oil Reservoirs laboratory at the University of Calgary is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to curiosity, exploration driven research, and problem-solving. Our highly experienced team of engineers and scientists, in combination with research-grade laboratory and bench-scale core evaluation equipment, have produced a significant body of high-impact knowledge and results. This includes numerous patents, start-up companies, and publications in the fields of energy research, carbon reduction, pipeline protection, and enhanced oil recovery from unconventional reserves.
Our lab services are available to both academia and industry, and cover a very broad range of analytical techniques. These techniques can be adapted to unique applications through vigorous method development, resulting in production of consistent and meaningful data.
Contact us if you are interested in booking a tour of our facility, or meeting our team of experts.
Services for Business and Academia
Facility
The CERC Lab is located in the state-of-the-art 850 m2 space in the Energy Environment Experiential Learning (EEEL) building. The lab houses unique equipment and acts as a fully functioning wet and analytical lab space, and a high-tech workroom for creative ideation.
Laboratory Equipment
Elemental Analysis
Agilent 8900 ICPQQQ with SPS4 Autosampler
Description:
This ICPQQQ is a state of the art elemental analyzer capable of identifying and measuring most of the elements on the periodic table down to part per trillion levels. Solid and/or organic samples must be digested into a liquid matrix while liquid matrices can be processed as received. The instrument is additionally capable of running a single nanoparticle analysis (elemental and particle size distribution) and isotope analysis.
Shimadzu TOC -V (Total Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Analyzer)
Description:
The TOC-V measures total carbon, total organic carbon, total inorganic carbon and total nitrogen in aqueous and digested liquid samples. The instrument is capable of measuring low part per million levels and is fully automated with a 120 position autosampler.
Chromatography Systems
Shimadzu 8040 HPLCMSMS with UV-VIS Detector
Description:
This HPLC system incorporates an ultra-high pressure (16,000 Psi) LC with a triple Q mass spectrometer and sequential UV-VIS detectors for screening, identifying and measuring organic compounds in a variety of matrices through selective and multiple reaction monitoring (SRM/MRM). The instrument may also be used for the rapid screening of organic samples and the identification of very large organic compounds. This instrument is an excellent tool for identifying compounds that are difficult to measure by traditional GC techniques such as highly polar compounds in an aqueous matrix.
Shimadzu QP2010 GCMS
Description:
This instrument is a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) system with the NIST 2014 Spectral Library used for identifying and measuring organic compounds. The instrument operates in the part per million range in open scan mode and is capable of measuring in the part per billion range in selected ion mode (SIM). GC-MS is an excellent tool for screening samples to identify compounds of interest or for performing precision organic analysis.
Shimadzu GC2010 High-Temperature Simulated Distillation (SIMDIST)
Description:
This instrument is a high-temperature gas chromatograph (max 450 C) with dual flame ionization detectors for evaluating petroleum samples. The instrument performers simulated distillations (SIM-DIS) generating boiling point distribution and petroleum fraction data. SIM-DIST data replaces traditional D86, D1160 distillations and can be used to calculate flashpoints, cut points and evaporative loss of petroleum fractions.
SRI GC for Fixed Gases and Light Hydrocarbons
Description:
This instrument is a dual TCD / FID with Methanizer gas chromatograph and measures O2, N2, CO2, CO, H2S, H2, C1 - C5. CO2 and CO are measured as CH4 through the methanizer for enhanced detection. Samples may be provided for manual injection in a Tedlar bag, or the GC injector can be configured for online/real time analysis.
Characterization of Surfaces and Interfaces
Dataphysics OCA15EC Optical Contact Angle & Contour Analysis
Description:
Capable of performing contact angle of liquid-solid interfaces, surface tension, and interfacial tension measurements ranging 0.1mN/m - 2000mN/m at room conditions.
KRUSS SDT- Spinning Drop Tensiometer- Thermostated
Description:
This spinning drop tensiometer is capable of measuring interfacial tension as values as low as 10 ^-6 mN/m at temperatures up to 90°C. Fitted with an electric heating jacket and circulating water chiller.
Dataphysics DCAT 9T- Thermostated Wilhelmy Plate
The dynamic contact angle measurement system is used for Wilhelmy plate determinations. This instrument is universal measuring device for the force-based measurement of interfacial parameters.
Surface Area Analyzer Gemini VII 2390 Micromeritics
Description:
Surface area and pore volume analyzer. Capable of measuring low surface area materials. Coupled with a preparation device FlowPrep 060 (applies both heat and a stream of inert gas to the sample for pretreatment).
Thermal Analysis
Premium Performing TGA Thermogravimetric Analysis
Description:
The TGA is a thermo-balance used to determine the change in mass on heating. It determines the sample composition by measuring the weight of each component as it volatilizes or decomposes under controlled conditions of temperature, time, and atmosphere.
Multi-Phase Core Flooding Apparatus
Description:
Multi-phase rig configured with two sets of Quizix 5200 positive displacement pumps, absolute and differential pressure transducers, a hydrostatic coreholder (3-D stress), an online densimeter, and piston accumulators. Can be used for core flooding tests at reservoir pressure and temperature conditions up to 10,000 psi confining stress, 5,000 psi reservoir pressure, and 100°C
High-Temperature Steam/Foam Core-flooding Apparatus
Description:
High-temperature multiphase core flooding apparatus configured with two microfluidic Q5000 quizix pumps, 10 K-type thermocouples, an inline high-pressure densitometer, automated fraction collector, 4 absolute pressure transducers (MAWP 6000psi), 3 differential pressure transducers (6000 psi MAWP, 600 PSID), a superheated steam generator, condenser, high-temperature visual cell, mass flow controller, and a state of the art LabVIEW-based data acquisition software configured to national instruments data acquisition system. This apparatus can be configured in many ways to suit the needs of experimental measurements.
For a full description of the instrument, please inquire within. This instrument was designed by InnoTech Alberta.
Characterization of Liquid and Solids
Agilent Cary 630 Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer
Description:
Series of interfaces, affording both sensitivity and versatility to handle the widest array of samples: Transmission module (classic infrared sample interface. Allows for the measurement of solids or liquids), DialPath multipath liquid transmission module (facilitates long pathlength FTIR transmission measurement of liquids), and diamond attenuated total reflectance (ATR, used to measure solids, liquids, or gels).
NanoPlus HD Dynamic Light Scattering and Zeta Potential
Description:
The Zeta-sizer in the CERC lab is a full spectrum colloidal characterization tool with the capability to measure colloid physical parameters at concentrations as low as one part per million, in a full range of conductance and in any non-corrosive continuous phase. Specialized sample cells enable analysis for sols, and liquid solid interaction.
UV/Vis Spectrometer
Density Meter
Viscometer
pH Meter
Conductivity Meter
Turbidity Meter
Magnetic Susceptibility System
Vibrating-Sample Magnetometer (VSM)
Special Equipment
Parr Reactor Vessel with Parr4848 Reactor Controller
Description:
Capabilities of performing reactions at conditions of up to 200°C and 3000 psi, this reactor has a widely diverse range of applications. Configured with multiple safety checks and reliefs as well as heat quenching exchangers, this apparatus can hold conditions for multiple days at a time and is highly configurable.
XPlore Micro Compounder
Description:
This instrument is used for creating co-polymer blends. Xplore’s twin screw extruder provides blending that results in consistent rheological properties and is the standard for polymer blend R&D.
Carver Bench Top Laboratory Hydraulic Press
Description:
Carver laboratory presses equipped platen temperature control with auto-tuning and ramp heating capability.
Fann High Pressure High Temperature Fluid Loss Filter Press 387 Series
Description:
This instrument is used for API fluid loss analysis of drilling fluids and frack fluids. Its 500 mL capacity allows it to be used for high pressure filtration as well.
Microscopy
Leica Confocal Microscope with Anton Paar Rheometer
Description:
Combined with purpose-built devices (rheometer) for flow in geometries ranging from single channels to porous media, this infrastructure is a uniquely powerful multiscale/multimode platform for understanding the real-time dynamics of complex nanostructured fluids at sub-millimeter length scales.
Design and Print
Laser Engraver Speedy 100
Description:
The Speedy is the ideal laser engraving machine. The Laser type is CO₂, fiber or Flexx laser. High peak power and nanosecond pulses improve marking and engraving. The additional power and better beam quality provide cleaner cut edges and faster cutting speeds. Work area can be 24.0 x 12.0 inch with a max workpiece height 5.2 inch. The laser power is 10 - 60 watts.
3D Printer
Description:
Build volume: up to 223 x 223 x 305 mm (8.8 x 8.8 x 12 inches). Up to 20 µm (0.001 inch) layer resolution. Optimized for a wide range of materials: PLA, ABS, Nylon, polycarbonate, and co-polyester.