We perform qualitative and quantitative analyses of gaseous and liquid samples, extracts, process gases and complex mixtures. We offer both routine and trace-level determinations, identification of organic and inorganic components, and online monitoring of gas composition during experimental processes.

• Analysis of gaseous and liquid samples and extracts by direct injection.
• Trace analysis of gaseous samples using GC-MS with thermal desorption, including ambient air, workplace air and trace contaminants in gases.
• Trace analysis of gaseous samples following collection on sorbents.
• Trace analysis of gaseous samples using cryogenic preconcentration at temperatures down to −80 °C.
• Analysis of gaseous samples using GC-BID/TCD.
• Analysis of pyrolysis gases and liquid condensates generated during the pyrolysis of biomass and plastics.
• Determination of PAHs and organic micropollutants using HPLC, including selected pharmaceuticals, pesticides and other organic pollutants in aqueous solutions.
• Determination of selected C1–C8 organic acids in aqueous samples and leachates.
• Analysis of selected anions using ion chromatography, including F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₂⁻, Br⁻, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, SO₃²⁻ and SO₄²⁻.
• Determination of ClO₄⁻ in water and aqueous leachates.
• Online gas chromatography during catalytic testing.
• Online GC-MS analysis and identification of reaction products.
• Online FTIR gas analysis, including NH₃, NO, NO₂, N₂O, CO and CO₂.
• UV-Vis spectrophotometric analysis.
• Rapid determination of biogas composition and similar gas mixtures.

The specific range of analytes depends on the sample matrix, availability of analytical standards and the requirements agreed with the client.

Contact Persons

Ing. Barbora Grycová, Ph.D.
e-mail: barbora.grycova@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 596 997 331

Ing. Jana Růžičková, Ph.D.
e-mail: jana.ruzickova@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 597 323 730 / +420 597 324 290

Ing. Michal Šafář, Ph.D.
e-mail: michal.safar@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 596 994 290 / +420 596 995 448

We determine the chemical composition and selected properties of inorganic, organic and environmental samples. The scope of analysis can be tailored to the type of sample matrix and the specific requirements of the client.

• inorganic analysis of raw materials, materials, products and environmental samples;
• organic analysis of materials and environmental samples;
• analysis of drinking water, surface water, groundwater and wastewater;
• analysis of aqueous leachates from solid materials and waste;
• analysis of soils, sediments, sludge and waste;
• analysis of oils, operating fluids and other technological samples;
• spectrophotometric determinations, including total cyanides, ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrates, nitrites, total nitrogen, phosphorus and phosphates;
• determination of BOD₅ and COD;
• determination of trace concentrations of metals and selected other elements using atomic absorption spectroscopy;
• isotachophoretic determination of ions in aqueous samples.

Contact Persons

Ing. Světlana Kozubová
e-mail: svetlana.kozubova@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 597 321 546 / +420 724 838 948

Ing. Barbora Grycová, Ph.D.
e-mail: barbora.grycova@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 596 997 331

We provide comprehensive analytical assessment of solid and liquid fuels, solid biofuels, solid recovered fuels (SRF), waste materials and solid combustion residues. We determine their key energy, thermochemical and chemical properties.

• Thermogravimetric analysis – determination of moisture, ash, volatile matter, fixed carbon and approximate ignition temperature.
• Determination of gross calorific value and calculation of net calorific value.
• Elemental analysis of C, H, N, S and O.
• Determination of total and phase-specific carbon.
• Determination of moisture and total solids.
• determination of ash and combustible matter content;
• determination of moisture content;
• determination of volatile matter;
• determination of total sulphur;
• determination of ash fusibility temperatures.

Contact Persons

Ing. Barbora Grycová, Ph.D.
e-mail: barbora.grycova@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 596 997 331

Ing. Jana Růžičková, Ph.D.
e-mail: jana.ruzickova@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 597 323 730 / +420 597 324 290

Ing. Michal Šafář, Ph.D.
e-mail: michal.safar@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 596 994 290 / +420 596 995 448

Ing. Milan Dej, Ph.D.
e-mail: milan.dej@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 597 324 934

We provide characterisation of the chemical and phase composition, structure and microstructure of raw materials, technological materials, products and other solid samples.

• Qualitative and quantitative phase analysis using XRD.
• identification of crystalline and mineral phases;
• structural characterisation of inorganic and organic materials;
• characterisation of construction and silicate materials, including cements, mortars, concretes, ceramics and glasses;
• analysis of raw materials, intermediate products and final products;
• elemental analysis using XRF in the range from Na to U.

Contact Persons

Ing. Světlana Kozubová
e-mail: svetlana.kozubova@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 597 321 546 / +420 724 838 948

Ing. Barbora Grycová, Ph.D.
e-mail: barbora.grycova@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 596 997 331

We provide textural characterisation of porous and other solid materials, particularly sorbents, catalysts and functional materials.

• determination of specific surface area, pore volume and pore size distribution.
• determination of mesopore surface area;
• determination of micropore volume;
• determination of micro-, meso- and macropore size distributions;
• determination of total pore volume;
• determination of true/helium density of solid materials.

Contact Person

Ing. Barbora Grycová, Ph.D.
e-mail: barbora.grycova@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 596 997 331

We provide specialised physicochemical and surface characterisation of catalysts, photocatalysts, sorbents, semiconductor materials and other functional solids.

• Determination of reducible species using H₂-TPR.
• Determination of oxidisable species using O₂-TPO.
• Determination of the surface area and dispersion of supported components using chemisorption techniques.
• Determination of the amount and strength of acidic and basic sites using TPD.
• Identification of functional groups using FTIR spectroscopy.
• Analysis of microstructure and local chemical composition using SEM, including point, line and area elemental mapping.
• Measurement of electron work function using a Kelvin probe.
• Photoelectrochemical characterisation of semiconductor materials, including determination of IPCE.
• Measurement of material photoactivity.

Contact Person

Ing. Barbora Grycová, Ph.D.
e-mail: barbora.grycova@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 596 997 331

We offer specialised analytical measurements for liquid and solid samples, as well as for studying interactions between molecules, surfaces and membranes.

• Determination of water content using Karl Fischer titration in liquid mixtures and powdered samples.
• Detection of xenobiotics using SPR imaging, including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, hormones and other foreign organic compounds.
• Study of interactions between molecules and surfaces using SPR imaging.
• Measurement of membrane permeability to organic compounds.

Contact Person

Ing. Barbora Grycová, Ph.D.
e-mail: barbora.grycova@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 596 997 331

We perform both continuous and single-point analyses of flue gases, emissions and process gases from combustion, energy and industrial processes. Samples can also be taken directly from combustion chambers and other parts of technological equipment.

• continuous and single-point analysis of gaseous emissions;
• analysis of samples from combustion chambers and technological processes;
• determination of SO₂;
• determination of water vapour (H₂O);
• determination of NH₃ and assessment of ammonia slip;
• determination of HCl;
• determination of HF;
• determination of CS₂;
• analysis of other specific components of flue gases and process gases according to the client’s requirements.

For selected determinations, methods such as online FTIR analysis or GC-MS with thermal desorption can be used.

Contact Persons

Ing. Barbora Grycová, Ph.D.
e-mail: barbora.grycova@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 596 997 331

Ing. Karel Borovec, Ph.D.
e-mail: karel.borovec@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 596 993 868

We perform accredited measurements of gaseous and particulate pollutants generated by energy, combustion and industrial process sources.

• measurement of gaseous emissions;
• measurement of particulate pollutants;
• sampling directly from energy and technological equipment;
• evaluation of results against applicable emission requirements;
• specialised emission measurements tailored to specific operating conditions and technologies.

Measurements are carried out using accredited procedures in accordance with the relevant legislative and technical requirements.

Contact Person

Ing. Karel Borovec, Ph.D.
e-mail: karel.borovec@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 596 993 868

We perform verification of automated measuring systems (AMS) used for continuous measurement of gaseous and particulate pollutants in accordance with ČSN EN 14181.

• verification of measuring systems within the scope of QAL2;
• regular annual surveillance tests (AST);
• comparison of continuous measuring systems with standard reference methods;
• determination of the calibration function;
• verification of the accuracy, stability and long-term performance of the measuring system.

Contact Person

Ing. Karel Borovec, Ph.D.
e-mail: karel.borovec@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 596 993 868

We provide specialised mobile services focused on sampling and assessing hydrogen purity directly at the point of production, storage or use.

• accredited sampling of hydrogen from high-pressure systems;
• mobile on-site sampling;
• determination of hydrogen purity by gravimetric methods;
• assessment of hydrogen quality for energy and technological applications;
• identification of selected impurities affecting hydrogen suitability for use.

Contact Person

Ing. Karel Borovec, Ph.D.
e-mail: karel.borovec@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 596 993 868

We design, implement and optimise analytical procedures for materials, analytes and applications for which no suitable standardised method is available or where an existing method needs to be adapted to specific conditions.

• development of new analytical methods;
• implementation and optimisation of existing procedures;
• adaptation of methods to specific sample matrices, concentration ranges and client requirements;
• solutions to non-standard analytical challenges;
• design of complete analytical workflows, from sample preparation to final determination.

Contact Person

Ing. Světlana Kozubová
e-mail: svetlana.kozubova@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 597 321 546 / +420 724 838 948

Sample Preparation and Pre-Treatment

Depending on the requirements of the subsequent analysis, we also provide appropriate sample preparation and pre-treatment.

• crushing and grinding of solid samples;
• centrifugation and separation of solid fractions;
• pre-treatment and sub-sampling for analytical purposes;
• microwave digestion of organic and inorganic samples;
• sonication and ultrasonic treatment of samples.

Contact Person

Ing. Barbora Grycová, Ph.D.
e-mail: barbora.grycova@vsb.cz
tel.: +420 596 997 331