Methodology & Measurement

The motorization sector is one of the key, the second largest after the food industry, industry in Poland. Our country is currently the motorization backup facility in Europe. The huge potential for the development of this sector generates the still growing interest in scientific-research services offered by the Central Mining Institute.

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Laboratory of Solid Waste Analyses performes tests content of harmful environmental inorganic contaminates. According to the scope of accreditation the tests concern the following objects:
  • Energy wastes, coal mining wastes, industrial and municipal wastes;
  • Grounds;
  • Soils;
  • Mineral aggregates;
  • The binders;
  • Solid fuels;
  • Alternative fuels;
  • Solid biofuels.

We also have huge experience in working with other objects which are not in scope of the accreditation yet:

  • Brown coals, cokes, atmospheric dust, dust filters with drown air, mineral resources, different types of sediments and other environmental samples.

The Laboratory performes tests in scope of accredited by the Polish Center for Accreditation:

  • Moisture content analysis and total dry matter;
  • Ash content and volative matter;
  • Nitrogen, chlorine, chlorides, sulfur, hydrogen;
  • Total organic carbon and inorganic carbon;
  • Heat of combustion and calorific value;
  • Chemical compositons: SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, Na2O, K2O, SO3, TiO2, P2O5;
  • Trace elements: arsenic As, barium Ba, cadmium Cd, cobalt Co, chromium Cr, copper Cu, Hg mercury, manganese Mn, molybdenum Mo, nickel Ni, lead Pb, antimony Sb, selenium Se, tin Sn, and Zn
  • Free CaO;
  • Ammonium compounds (ammonium nitrogen);
  • Size distribution by sieving and laser diffraction;
  • The pH of the aqueous extracts.

Tests out of scope an accreditation are:

  • True density, bulk density, water absorption, resistance to frost, specific surface area;
  • Moisture of the distillation, volatile components;
  • Available phosphorus, reactive silicon dioxide, sulfates soluble in acid and water;
  • Fluorine, free cyanide and fixed cyanide, phenols, sulfides;
  • Trace elements: boron B, bromine Br, beryllium Be, vanadium V, Sr strontium, thallium Tl;
  • Rare earth metals: scandium Sc, yttrium Y, lanthanum La, cerium Ce, praseodymium Pr, neodymium Nd, samarium Sm, europium Eu, gadolinium Gd, terbium Tb, dysprosium Dy, holmium Ho, erbium Er, thulium Tm, ytterbium Yb , lutetium Lu;
  • Stearin, microspheres;
  • The chemical resistance of the materials used in the production;
  • Other according to customer.

DSC Q2000 Differential Scanning Calorimeter

Determination of the heat transfer associated with the phase change of materials as a function of time and temperature. Qualitative and quantitative determination of heat absorbed or released in the phase transformation processes of materials, such as melting, oxidation or other heat-related changes. Temperature range: -90C ÷ 550C.

Scope of activities:

  • Diagnosis of organizational, competency and social determinants of safety in work environment - especially in high-risk enterprises (own research tools verified by the PBS project);
  • Diagnosis of safety culture state in enterprise (own research tools - verified in coal and copper mining);
  • Safety culture improving in enterprise using its own method, which effectiveness has been proven in mining company;
  • Identification of risky behaviors of employees and their causes;
  • Identification of factors (characteristics / variables) relevant for psychoacoustic and subjective reception of noise nuisance - according to methodology developed for subjective assessment of noise nuisance;
  • Research on structural mismatches in labour markets;
  • Research on demographic change impact on labour markets;
  • Examination of professional qualifications demand in enterprise;
  • Apply of managing diversity method in enterprise.

Division of Ecological Researches  performs field works including: 

  • contamination of soils and grounds in relation to quality standards;
  • state of the investment areas;
  • the quality of surface water and groundwater;
  • basic characteristics of the waste to deposition;
  • economic deposition of waste underground and on the ground surface; 
  • the possibility of using recycled aggregates;
  • determine the suitability of mineral wastes for their use as aggregates in building, road construction and as a raw material in industries;
  • the possibility of using various types of waste as alternative fuels;
  • the possibility of using municipal sewage sludge;
  • binders used in underground construction.

Collecting and transport of samples is carried around whole Poland. A team of experienced employees, who are equipped with specialized sets, guarantees high quality of services provided under all conditions.

The Department of Environmental Monitoring performes environmental researches for industry, mining, environmental protection agencies, local government units, the broad market of small medium enterprises (SMEs), including:
  • Reports of environmental impact assessments with participation in administrative proceedings in order to obtain the environmental decision;
  • Initial reports;
  • Environmental reviews;
  • Integrated permits;
  • Expertise;
  • Evaluation and opinions on the protection and opportunities for environmentally safe use of waste on the surface and underground mining excavations and recovered raw materials;
  • Environmental opinions on binder materials and formulations used in underground mines in the area of voluntary certification for safety mark ""B"";
  • Research (identification), and disposal of hazardous waste, eligibility codes corresponding to the hazardous waste or non – hazardous waste;
  • Physicochemical analysis of materials, including waste used as an additive for fuels, alternative fuels and renewable fuels;
  • Comprehensive monitoring of landfills in the full range of phases resulting from their operation – pre-operational, the operational and the after-closure;
  • A comprehensive studies of soil quality and the ground quality to making decisions about way of using or remediation in accordance with applicable standards, together with an assessment of their chemism and their health risks;
  • Monitoring the state of environment before investments and also monitoring the state of the degraded post-industry environment (and post-mining) to make decisions about restoration or further use;
  • Evaluates corrosivity of water against concrete and steel (on the basis of physical and chemical analysis) and performs tests of water used to prepare concrete, etc.

Highly qualified scientific or technical staff and modern equipment ensure high quality and reliability of research.

The Department of Environmental Monitoring performes environmental researches for industry, mining, environmental protection agencies, local government units, the broad market of small medium enterprises (SMEs), including:
  • Reports of environmental impact assessments with participation in administrative proceedings in order to obtain the environmental decision;
  • Initial reports;
  • Environmental reviews;
  • Integrated permits;
  • Expertise, evaluation and opinions on the protection and opportunities for environmentally safe use of waste on the surface and underground mining excavations and recovered raw materials;
  • Environmental opinions on binder materials and formulations used in underground mines in the area of voluntary certification for safety mark ""B"";
  • Research (identification), and disposal of hazardous waste, eligibility codes corresponding to the hazardous waste or non - hazardous waste;
  • Physicochemical analysis of materials, including waste used as an additive for fuels, alternative fuels and renewable fuels;
  • Comprehensive monitoring of landfills in the full range of phases resulting from their operation – pre-operational, the operational and the after-closure;
  • A comprehensive studies of soil quality and the ground quality to making decisions about way of using or remediation in accordance with applicable standards, together with an assessment of their chemism and their health risks;
  • Monitoring the state of environment before investments and also monitoring the state of the degraded post-industry environment (and post-mining) to make decisions about restoration or further use;
  • Evaluates corrosivity of water against concrete and steel (on the basis of physical and chemical analysis) and performs tests of water used to prepare concrete, etc.

Laboratory of Water and Wastewater Analysis evaluates corrosivity of water against concrete and steel (on the basis of physical and chemical analysis) and performs tests of water used to prepare concrete. Laboratory also carries out the migration test (determination of the effect of material for drinking water).

Advanced Energy Technology Laboratory
Infrared spectrometer with FT-IR transformation.
  • Measurement of infrared spectra in the infrared spectral range: distant 50-400 cm-1, center 400-4000 cm-1 and close to 4000-14000 cm-1;
  • Quantitative measurements by transmission method of solid samples in pellets KBr or HDPE and liquid samples in a removable liquid cuvette;
  • Rapid powder sample measurements in the midrange IR filter;
  • Fast measurements of liquid, solid and powder samples in a high pressure ATR in the range of 50-400 cm-1, center 400-4000 Cm-1 infrared;
  • Measure infrared spectra in the near infrared range with the sphere integrating with the InGaAs detector;
  • Measurement of DRIFT powder samples during their heating in a high temperature reaction chamber at controlled temperature from room temperature to 900°C in vacuum or atmospheric gas up to approximately 750°C;
  • Measurement of gas samples in central infrared 4000 - 400 cm-1 in a 0.75 liter gas cuvette with varying optical path lengths of 1.5 m to 8 m and using a DTGS detector or high-sensitivity MCT-A detector (within 600 cm-1);
  • Interpretation of infrared spectra, identification of substances and functional groups;
  • Statistical analysis and classification of spectra in the TQ Analyst program.

Laboratory of Solid Waste Analyses performes tests content of harmful environmental inorganic contaminates. According to the scope of accreditation the tests concern the following objects:

  • Energy wastes, coal mining wastes, industrial and municipal wastes;
  • Grounds;
  • Soils;
  • Mineral aggregates;
  • The binders;
  • Solid fuels;
  • Alternative fuels;
  • Solid biofuels.

We also have huge experience in working with other objects which are not in scope of the accreditation yet:

  • Brown coals, cokes, atmospheric dust, dust filters with drown air, mineral resources, different types of sediments and other environmental samples.

The Laboratory performes tests in scope of accredited by the Polish Center for Accreditation:

  • Moisture content analysis and total dry matter;
  • Ash content and volative matter;
  • Nitrogen, chlorine, chlorides, sulfur, hydrogen;
  • Total organic carbon and inorganic carbon;
  • Heat of combustion and calorific value;
  • Chemical compositons: SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, Na2O, K2O, SO3, TiO2, P2O5;
  • Trace elements: arsenic As, barium Ba, cadmium Cd, cobalt Co, chromium Cr, copper Cu, Hg mercury, manganese Mn, molybdenum Mo, nickel Ni, lead Pb, antimony Sb, selenium Se, tin Sn, and Zn;
  • Free CaO;
  • Ammonium compounds (ammonium nitrogen);
  • Size distribution by sieving and laser diffraction;
  • The pH of the aqueous extracts.

Tests out of scope an accreditation are:

  • True density, bulk density, water absorption, resistance to frost, specific surface area;
  • Moisture of the distillation, volatile components;
  • Available phosphorus, reactive silicon dioxide, sulfates soluble in acid and water;
  • Fluorine, free cyanide and fixed cyanide, phenols, sulfides;
  • Trace elements: boron B, bromine Br, beryllium Be, vanadium V, Sr strontium, thallium Tl;
  • Rare earth metals: scandium Sc, yttrium Y, lanthanum La, cerium Ce, praseodymium Pr, neodymium Nd, samarium Sm, europium Eu, gadolinium Gd, terbium Tb, dysprosium Dy, holmium Ho, erbium Er, thulium Tm, ytterbium Yb , lutetium Lu;
  • Stearin, microspheres;
  • The chemical resistance of the materials used in the production;
  • Other according to customer.

Laboratory of Water and Wastewater Analysis performes researches related to the development of new procedures used in the analytics of natural waters and leachate with a high content of dissolved substances. We measure over a hundred physicochemical parameters in the samples using various measuring techniques, including most modern, for example:

  • Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy method (ICP-OES) to determine metals and non-metals;
  • Mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine trace elements;
  • High temperature decomposition methods (TOC, total nitrogen, AOX analyzers);
  • Ion chromatography (IC) for the determination of inorganic anions and for the determination of by-products of water disinfection;
  • Flow techniques - flow injection analyzers (FIA) and continuous flow analyzers with segmented flow (SFA) with spectrophotometric detection for the determination of cyanides, phenol index, surfactants, ammonium ions, sulphide, sulphite etc.

The subject of research in the laboratory is: 

  • Drinking water;
  • Mineral water and spring water;
  • Thermal water and medicine water;
  • Surface water;
  • Groundwater (particularly mine waters, including brines);
  • Leachates from waste dumping from closed excavations or landfills;
  • Industrial and technological water;
  • Industrial and municipal wastewater;
  • Water extracts;
  • Salts;
  • Selected foodstuffs.

The Laboratory performes researches following parameters (in scope of the PCA accreditation): 

  • Adsorbable organically bound  halogens (AOX);
  • Ammonium ions;
  • Nitrates;
  • Ammonia nitrogen, nitrate and nitrite;
  • Total nitrogen, organic nitrogen and Kjeldahl nitrogen;
  • Nitrites;
  • Colour;
  • Biochemical oxygen demand after n days (BODn);
  • Bromates, bromides, chlorates and chlorites;
  • Chemical oxygen demand by dichromate method or permanganate method;
  • Chlorides;
  • Chromium (VI);
  • Free cyanides, total cyanides and bound cyanides;
  • Aggressive carbon dioxide and free carbon dioxide;
  • Ether extract (substances extracted with petroleum ether);
  • Fluorides;
  • Formaldehyde;
  • Phosphates;
  • Phenol index (volatile phenols);
  • Heavy metal index;
  • Permanganate index;
  • Iodides;
  • Magnesium;
  • Metals and non-metals (sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, cadmium, cobalt, copper, chromium, nickel, lead, zinc, silver, aluminum, arsenic, boron, bar, beryllium, bismuth, mercury, lanthanum, lithium, molybdenum, phosphorus , sulfur, antimony, selenium, silicon, tin, strontium, tellurium, titanium, thallium, vanadium, and zirconium);
  • Turbidity;
  • pH;
  • Total organic carbon (TOC);
  • Trace elements;
  • Electrical conductivity;
  • Sulfates, sulfides and sulfites;
  • Non-dissociated hydrogen sulfide;
  • Surface-active substances, anionic (anionic detergents, MBAS);
  • Surface-active substances nonionic (nonionic detergents);
  • Total dissolved solids, volatile and non-volatile dissolved solids;
  • Dry residue, non-volatile and volatile;
  • Dissolved oxygen;
  • Total water hardness, carbonate and non-carbonate water hardness;
  • Calcium;
  • Carbonates, bicarbonates and hydroxides;
  • Alkalinity;
  • Suspended solids;
  • Iron (II) and iron (III).

The Laboratory also researches some parameters out of scope of the PCA accreditation:

  • Free and total chlorine;
  • Chlorophyll;
  • Density;
  • Acidity;
  • Volatile fatty acids;
  • Rare earth metals ( ""lanthanides""),
  • Some trace elements;
  • Redox potential;
  • Thiocyanates;
  • Soluble organic compounds (with 254 nm absorbance and with 436 nm absorbance);
  • Sum of the dissolved minerals;
  • Thermal stability;
  • Putrescibility;
  • Threshold odour number (TON);
  • Settleable suspended solids (Imhoff).

Conducting measurement on machines and equipment (e.g., press alignment systems), monitoring of constructional structures - measuring and monitoring of geometric parameters of shafts and their equipment, including sunk ones.

Research and development works, including development of modeling of multidimensional data sets using advanced chemo metric methods and taking into account their specific multimodal structure.

Laboratory of Solid Waste Analyses performes tests in scope of accredited by the Polish Center for Accreditation:

  • Moisture content analysis and total dry matter;
  • Ash content and volative matter;
  • Nitrogen, chlorine, chlorides, sulfur, hydrogen;
  • Total organic carbon and inorganic carbon;
  • Heat of combustion and calorific value;
  • Chemical compositons: SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, Na2O, K2O, SO3, TiO2, P2O5;
  • Trace elements: arsenic As, barium Ba, cadmium Cd, cobalt Co, chromium Cr, copper Cu, Hg mercury, manganese Mn, molybdenum Mo, nickel Ni, lead Pb, antimony Sb, selenium Se, tin Sn, and Zn;
  • Free CaO;
  • Ammonium compounds (ammonium nitrogen);
  • Size distribution by sieving and laser diffraction;
  • The pH of the aqueous extracts.

Tests out of scope an accreditation are:

  • True density, bulk density, water absorption, resistance to frost, specific surface area;
  • Moisture of the distillation, volatile components;
  • Available phosphorus, reactive silicon dioxide, sulfates soluble in acid and water;
  • Fluorine, free cyanide and fixed cyanide, phenols, sulfides;
  • Trace elements: boron B, bromine Br, beryllium Be, vanadium V, Sr strontium, thallium Tl;
  • Rare earth metals: scandium Sc, yttrium Y, lanthanum La, cerium Ce, praseodymium Pr, neodymium Nd, samarium Sm, europium Eu, gadolinium Gd, terbium Tb, dysprosium Dy, holmium Ho, erbium Er, thulium Tm, ytterbium Yb , lutetium Lu;
  • Stearin, microspheres;
  • The chemical resistance of the materials used in the production;
  • Other according to customer.

The Laboratory performes researches in accordance with applicable legal regulations - Polish law:

  • Ustawa o odpadach z dnia 8 stycznia 2013 roku (Dz. U. poz. 21);
  • Rozporządzenie Ministra Środowiska z dnia 8 czerwca 2016r., w sprawie warunków technicznych kwalifikowania części energii odzyskanej z termicznego przekształcania odpadów (Dz.U. poz. 847);
  • Rozporządzenie Ministra Gospodarki z dnia 22 stycznia 2016r., w sprawie wymagań dotyczących termicznego przekształcania odpadów oraz sposobów postępowania z odpadami powstającymi w wyniku tego procesu (Dz.U. poz. 108);
  • Rozporządzenie Ministra Środowiska z dnia 11 maja 2015r., w sprawie odzysku odpadów poza instalacjami i urządzeniami (Dz.U. poz. 796);
  • Rozporządzenie Ministra Gospodarki z dnia 16 lipca 2015r., w sprawie kryteriów oraz procedur dopuszczania odpadów do składowania na składowisku odpadów danego typu, (Dz. U. poz. 1277).

We measure physicochemical parameters in the samples using various measuring techniques, including most modern, for example:

  • Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy method (ICP-OES) to determine metals and non-metals.

Laboratory of Solid Waste Analyses performes tests content of harmful environmental inorganic contaminates. According to the scope of accreditation the tests concern the following objects:

  • Energy wastes, coal mining wastes, industrial and municipal wastes;
  • Grounds;
  • Soils;
  • Mineral aggregates;
  • The binders;
  • Solid fuels;
  • Alternative fuels;
  • Solid biofuels.

We also have huge experience in working with other objects which are not in scope of the accreditation yet:

  • Brown coals, cokes, atmospheric dust, dust filters with drown air, mineral resources, different types of sediments and other environmental samples.

Laboratory of Water and Wastewater Analysis performes researches of: 

  • Drinking water;
  • Mineral water and spring water;
  • Thermal water and medicine water;
  • Surface water;
  • Groundwater (particularly mine waters, including brines);
  • Leachates from waste dumping from closed excavations or landfills;
  • Industrial and technological water;
  • Industrial and municipal wastewater;
  • Water extracts;
  • Salts;
  • Selected foodstuffs.

Sampling and physicochemical analysis.

Laboratory of Mineral Processing and Waste Management conducts research and service on the wide mineral engineering. Researches covers issues related to the identification of the chemical composition and mineral compositions and technological characteristics of the mineral and waste. The laboratory is equipped with modern digital scanning electron microscope Hitachi Model SU-3500N included with the EDS and the sputter device and Morphologi G3S-ID Malvern to analyze the size, shape and number of particles of the Raman adapter to identify the chemical composition. Laboratory is working on identification and optimization technical and technological conditions of valorization and acquisition of commercial products from minerals and waste.

Experience of the staff of the laboratory and the technical equipment allows research and optimization following processes on a laboratory scale:

  • Froth flotation of suspended coal and other raw materials;
  • Sedimentation and refining of the suspensions;
  • Conditioning and optimization of the quality parameters of mineral suspensions and sewage sludge for drainage;
  • Dewatering mineral suspensions and sludge using method of pressure filtration and vacuum.

We have the technical capabilities to carry out verification tests dewatering processes suspended sediment in the centrifuge and in the filter press in the full industrial scale.

Laboratory of Solid Waste Analyses performes tests content of harmful environmental inorganic contaminates. According to the scope of accreditation the tests concern the following objects:

  • Energy wastes, coal mining wastes, industrial and municipal wastes;
  • Grounds;
  • Soils;
  • Mineral aggregates;
  • The binders;
  • Solid fuels;
  • Alternative fuels;
  • Solid biofuels.

We also have huge experience in working with other objects which are not in scope of the accreditation yet:

  • Brown coals, cokes, atmospheric dust, dust filters with drown air, mineral resources, different types of sediments and other environmental samples.

The Laboratory performes tests in scope of accredited by the Polish Center for Accreditation:

  • Moisture content analysis and total dry matter;
  • Ash content and volative matter;
  • Nitrogen, chlorine, chlorides, sulfur, hydrogen;
  • Total organic carbon and inorganic carbon;
  • Heat of combustion and calorific value;
  • Chemical compositons: SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, Na2O, K2O, SO3, TiO2, P2O5;
  • Trace elements: arsenic As, barium Ba, cadmium Cd, cobalt Co, chromium Cr, copper Cu, Hg mercury, manganese Mn, molybdenum Mo, nickel Ni, lead Pb, antimony Sb, selenium Se, tin Sn, and Zn;
  • Free CaO;
  • Ammonium compounds (ammonium nitrogen);
  • Size distribution by sieving and laser diffraction;
  • The pH of the aqueous extracts.

Tests out of scope an accreditation are:

  • True density, bulk density, water absorption, resistance to frost, specific surface area;
  • Moisture of the distillation, volatile components;
  • Available phosphorus, reactive silicon dioxide, sulfates soluble in acid and water;
  • Fluorine, free cyanide and fixed cyanide, phenols, sulfides;
  • Trace elements: boron B, bromine Br, beryllium Be, vanadium V, Sr strontium, thallium Tl
  • Rare earth metals: scandium Sc, yttrium Y, lanthanum La, cerium Ce, praseodymium Pr, neodymium Nd, samarium Sm, europium Eu, gadolinium Gd, terbium Tb, dysprosium Dy, holmium Ho, erbium Er, thulium Tm, ytterbium Yb , lutetium Lu;
  • Stearin, microspheres;
  • The chemical resistance of the materials used in the production;
  • Other according to customer.

Determination of harmful for the health and the environmental inorganic pollutants in construction products, aggregates, etc.

Advanced Energy Technology Laboratory
SDT Q600 thermogravimetric analyzer.

Thermal analysis: differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis. Measurement of heat flow and mass changes associated with phase transformation and / or reactions in the test samples. The obtained information includes endo- and exothermic transformations not related to the mass loss process (e.g. melting and crystallization) and those related to the mass loss process (decomposition of the sample). Measuring range from ambient to 1500 ° C, heating speed 0.1-100C / min, sensitivity 0.1 μg.

Thermogravimetric pressure analyzer Rubotherm GmbH. Measurements of mass changes in the sample depending on the heating rate, temperature and pressure in an inert atmosphere or in the presence of a wide range of gaseous reagents. Maximum temperature 1350C under non-pressurized conditions and 1100C at maximum pressure 4 MPa. Sample weight of 1 g.

Scope of activities:

  • Diagnosis of organizational, competency and social determinants of safety in work environment - especially in high-risk enterprises (own research tools verified by the PBS project);
  • Diagnosis of safety culture state in enterprise (own research tools - verified in coal and copper mining);
  • Safety culture improving in enterprise using its own method, which effectiveness has been proven in mining company;
  • Identification of risky behaviors of employees and their causes.

+ 48-32-259-2000