Analytical Chemistry

GeMMe's know-how

Building on its experience in mineral characterization, the GeMMe group's analytical laboratory has been developing its expertise in the chemical analysis of products from "urban mining" since 2008 (with a first project called Phoenix, which was the first step towards the Biolix project).

The laboratory has set up procedures dedicated to these complex materials, in order to control sampling and sample preparation operations as effectively as possible (particle size reduction, loss on ignition, mineralization, separation and concentration), prior to assaying the elements of interest using several measuring instruments available in the laboratory.

The GeMMe laboratory is committed to the continuous improvement of analytical procedures for polymetallic complex materials, both through in-house research and development, and through collaboration with other research and industrial laboratories.

Some examples of polymetallic complex materials characterized in our laboratory:

• Determination of platinoids (Pt, Pd, Rh) in catalytic converters
• Determination of base metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Sn) and precious metals (Au, Ag) in polymetallic concentrates from the recycling of end-of-life vehicles, WEEE and PV panels.
• Analysis of electronic boards (Au, Ag, Pd, Sn, Cu, Zn, Fe, Al, etc.)
• Analysis of permanent magnets (REEs, Fe, B)
• Analysis of black mass from lithium-ion batteries (Co, Ni, Mn, Al, Cu, Li, Fe, P)
• Determination of Sb in flame-retardant plastics

GeMMe's equipments for analytical chemistry

The GeMMe group's analytical laboratory is equipped with the following analytical equipment:

ICP-OES

Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry is a physical method of chemical analysis that can be used to measure virtually all elements.

2 configurations: radial reading and axial and radial reading

Model ICP-OES Agilent 5800

 

Stationary XRF (on pellets or beads)

X-ray fluorescence spectrometry provides elemental analysis for all elements from beryllium to americium. 

Tiger S8 marketed by Bruker and portable XRF (SciAps)

 

Carbon-sulfur analyzer

Analysis of gases generated by combustion using infrared spectrophotometry

Model CS844 from LECO (designed to measure the carbon and sulphur content of metals, ores, ceramics and other inorganic materials over a wide range)

Atomic absorption spectrometer (SAA)

Model contr AA 300

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry is a method for the determination of metallic elements only

Spark spectrometer

Spark Emission Spectrometry (OES) is an analysis system used to determine the chemical composition of a metal. 

SPECTROMAXX : LMX marketed by Ametek