Lab Services

Providing You Timely, Accurate and Defensible Data

Time is money. You don’t want to waste either, which is why it’s critical you know what you’re paying for when it comes to the fuels and materials you are using at your facility. Our team of lab experts can help. Alabama Power’s General Test Lab was established in 1975. Since then, we have recruited experts with over 400 years of combined experience in the analysis of transformer oils, coal products and byproducts, petroleum, limestone, gypsum and water. The data we provide can be used for regulatory compliance, contract specification verification, asset protection and operational support.

Transformer Oil Analyses

Diagnostic testing of transformer oil enables you to make informed decisions regarding the condition of your transformer and its insulating fluid. The tests we perform are part of routine preventative maintenance and can indicate trouble within the transformer before a major problem occurs. If left untested, you could experience power outages and loss of expensive equipment.

**Analyses routinely performed:**
Test Name	Method Reference
Dissolved Gases	ASTM D3612
Color	ASTM D1500
Moisture	ASTM D1533

**Analyses performed, as requested:**
Test Name	Method Reference
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB)	EPA 600/4-81
Neutralization Number	ASTM D974
Power Factor	ASTM D924
Dielectric Breakdown Voltage	ASTM D877
Interfacial Tension	ASTM D971
Dielectric Breakdown Voltage	ASTM D1816

Petroleum Analyses

Contaminated petroleum products can result in equipment damage or equipment not operating properly. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that fuel oils, turbine oils and lubricating oils meet specific chemical and physical properties. Oil system contamination may include dirt, rust, water, debris and by-products of the oil degradation process. Regularly scheduled oil analysis can prevent equipment damage and provide trending programs of oil health to prolong the life of equipment.

**Routine analyses include:**
Test Name	Method Reference
Cloudpoint	ASTM D2500
Water and Sediment	ASTM D2709
Water Content	ASTM D6304
Viscosity	ASTM D445
Copper Corrosion	ASTM D130
Color	ASTM D1500
Flashpoint	ASTM D93
Heat of Combustion	ASTM D240
Density	ASTM D4052
Acid Number	ASTM D974
Wear Metals	ASTM D5185
ISO Cleanliness	ISO 4406

Fuels and Materials Analyses

Monitoring the efficiency of your power plants comes down to ensuring the quality of fuels and materials being used. It’s important to know those fuels and materials are still in the same condition when you first received them. The testing we do on coal, ash, biomass, activated carbon, limestone and gypsum can help you determine how efficiently your plant is operating and anticipate major problems in your equipment. Historical trending is also used to monitor the quality of each sampling location with our data system.

**Coal, Ash and Alternative Fuel tests include:**
Test Name	Method Reference
Ash Fusion	ASTM D1857
Ash	ASTM D7582
BTU	ASTM D5865
CH&N	ASTM D5373
Fluorine in Coal by Combustion IC	ASTM D5987
Grindability (Hardgrove) of Coal	ASTM D409
Halogens in Alternate Fuels	ASTM D7359M
LOI (Loss on Ignition)	ASTM D7582
Mercury in Solids	ASTM D6722
Moisture	ASTM D7582
Particle Sizing Dimensions	ASTM D4464M
Short Proximate	ASTM D3302/D5865/D7582/D4239
Sieve Analysis of Coal	ASTM D197/D4749
Sulfur	ASTM D4239
Trace Elements by ICPMS (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, Zn, Se, Sr)	ASTM D6357
Volatiles	ASTM D7582
XRF Ash Minerals (Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, Si, S, Sr, Ti)	ASTM D4326
XRF Halogens (Br, Cl, Se)	In House

**Limestone and Gypsum tests include:**
Test Name	Method Reference
Bond Working Index for Limestone	EPRI B-6
Foaming Characteristics of Limestone	Mitsubishi
Limestone Wet Sieves	EPRI G-1
Mercury in Solids	ASTM D6722
Moisture Content	ASTM C25/C471
Particle Sizing Dimensions	ASTM D4464M
Reactivity of Limestone	Mitsubishi
Sulfur	ASTM D4239
Trace Elements by ICPMS (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, Zn, Se, Sr)	ASTM D6357
XRF Analysis (Al, Ca, Cl, Fe, Mg, Mn, Si)	ASTM C1271

Water Chemistry Analyses

Testing the quality of water at your facility helps in keeping your operation running smoothly and is also necessary for NPDES permit requirements. Our lab performs various analyses for regulated and non-regulated water samples. Results are used to ensure your assets are protected by maintaining optimum water chemistry.

**Routing analyses include:**
Test Name	Method Reference
Anions	EPA 300.0
BOD	SM 5210B
Mercury	EPA 245.1 and EPA 245.7
Metals	EPA 200.7 and EPA 200.8
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)	EPA 351.2
Nitrate/Nitrite	EPA 353.2
Ammonia	EPA 350.1
Phosphorus	SM 4500
Oil and Grease	EPA 1664B
Solids	SM 2540B, SM 2540C and SM 2540D
Low Level and High Level TOC	SM 5310A&B / SM 5310C

The Competitive Advantage

Our experience and expertise are key reasons why customers call on us, but it’s our personal service that’s unmatched.

Expertise

As subject matter experts in both technical and industrial processes, we have the credentials to back up our experience in all facets of our business.

National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP, Certification ID E571114) Badge

Laboratory is ISO 17025 compliant and most of the methods used in the water chemistry section are accredited through the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP, Certification ID E571114).

American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA, certificate #4117.01) Badge

Water Field Group is ISO 17025 compliant and a TNI (The NELAC Institute) accredited Field Sampling and Measurement Organization (FSMO) through the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA, certificate #4117.01).

Our Air Field Services team participates in a number of quality management programs including the stationary source audit sample program for Part 60 and Part 63 test programs as well as ASTM D7036 for Part 75 programs.