Natural Gas Testing and Analytical Laboratory Services

ORTECH has been providing Natural Gas analysis and laboratory services to the industrial chemical, petroleum, automotive, food, agricultural and general manufacturing and government sectors for over 30 years. Our clients have benefited from ORTECH’s proven expertise in specialized analytical services including:

Our Services include:

  1. Fuel Heating Value Determination,

  2. Landfill Gas and Biogas Analysis,

  3. Natural Gas Analysis,

  4. Fixed Gas Analysis,

  5. Sample Collection from various sources

  6. Sulphur Compound Analysis,

  7. Inorganic Compound Analysis,

  8. Volatile Organic Compound Analysis,

  9. Analytical Consultation services

  10. Ambient Air Quality Monitoring

Natural Gas Analysis

ORTECH can perform a full extended composition analysis of hydrocarbons and fixed gases in addition to determining the heating value, moisture content, density, specific gravity, Wobbe Index, gas compressibility, water and hydrocarbon dewpoints following the appropriate ASTM methodology. Additional analyses of contaminants in natural gas which may affect pipeline integrity, deterioration of combustion equipment and combustion characteristics include reduced sulphur compounds, particulate matter, metals, siloxanes and condensable organic material can also be tested if requested. 

Fuel Heating Value Determination

Heating value and other physical properties of fuel gases, such as natural gas and biogas, can vary significantly based on gas composition.  with time and It is important for both gas suppliers and their customers to know the heating value of gas supply on a regular basis. ORTECH  is certified  by Measurement Canada to carry out these calculations on natural gas, biogas and other fuel gases using ASTM and Gas Producers Association (GPA) methodology. 

Landfill Gas and Biogas Analysis

ORTECH regularly performs gas composition and calculations of physical properties of landfill gas and biogas samples. These gases primarily contain methane, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen sulphide. However, there can also be many trace contaminants present such as trace hydrocarbons, metals, volatile organic compounds, ammonia and particulate. ORTECH can conduct extensive field or laboratory sampling and analysis of these gases for all these contaminants following approved methodology.

Fixed Gas Analysis

ORTECH specializes in continuous field sampling and analysis of fixed gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other greenhouse gases from combustion sources at industrial facilities, coal-fired generating stations, incinerators, cement plants and steel works.  These programs may also include sampling and analysis of related gases such as sulfur dioxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides as well as the certification of plant analyzers used for greenhouse gas monitoring and reporting.

Sample Collection

ORTECH has extensive experience in the collection of natural gas, landfill gas and biogas field samples. This includes sampling at high pressure gas mains which enter facilities such as industrial plant and gas turbine generating stations.  These facilities require strict adherence to safety procedures and a thorough knowledge of how the samples should be collected based on the analyses required.  If preferred, ORTECH can provide the equipment and training to allow staff at the facility to collect and ship the samples to ORTECH for analysis.

Sulphur Compound Analysis

Sulphur compounds are frequently responsible for odour complaints from facilities such as sewage treatment plants, steel works, pulp & paper mills, and composting facitilties. Certain sulphur compounds are also added to natural gas, which otherwise has no odour, so that dangerous leaks can be detected.  For each of these situations ORTECH can collect samples and analyze them in the laboratory for a series of sulfur compounds which include hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, mercaptans, organic sulfides and thiophenes.  Portable field analyzers for hydrogen sulfide analysis are also available.  In many cases sulphur compound emissions can be correlated with odour emissions and the potential for odour complaints assessed.

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