Service OfferingMonica Van der Merwe

2018

Lorca Consulting

Lorca Consulting was established in October 2017. As a consulting firm we offer support and expert advice to Clients relating to Scientific investigation and Analysis methods in a variety of

Industries.

With 20 years experience in the Analytical Chemistry industry we pride ourselves in providing quality Analytical results substantiated

by acclaimed international published research papers.

Training Courses offered

Possible opportunities – Training assessors

• First contact• Correct pre-inspection assessment (Gathering the correct information)

• What is the question• Identifying and formulating the purpose of the investigation

• Site investigation• Analytical investigation procedures (What to look for in a site inspection)• Gathering photographic and video evidence (Big picture approach)

• Safety aspects• Hazard identification on site (Structural hazards, chemical and toxic substances,

terrain)• Chemical and Safety considerations (Batteries, Electrical failure and discharge)• Protective gear requirements (PPE – what to have at hand)

Possible opportunities – Training

• Gathering the correct evidence• Sampling methodology (How to sample)

• Amount and nature of samples required

• Safe transportation of samples (Precautions to consider)

• What tests can be done?• Different test methods available and outcome of testing (what test will offer

the best Scientific data as indisputable evidence)

• Forum/Blog with real case studies

• Question and Answer platform to share experience and knowledge

Test Methods for resolution of complex claims

Possible opportunities – Types of claims

• Fire damage

• Smoke damage

• Power surges

• Product liability

• Other

Typical scenarios – Fire Damage

• Lightning damage

• Fire • Electrical surges

• Heat damage

• Smoke damage

• Damage cause by Fire arresting action

• Damages caused by flammable substances

Possible Methods of Analysis

• Physical observation

• Lightening detection (PCB analysis SEM)

• Distinction between wet and dry smoke

• Analysis of hydrocarbons (FTIR) for Wet smoke detection

• Dry smoke detection effect on substances• SEM analysis• Gas analyser (sniffer probe)

• Effects of heat of combustion• Analysis for propellants (FTIR)• SEM analysis• Melting point of specific metals

Smoke Damage Analysis

• Physical observation

• Laboratory fires – Equipment assessment, testing and calibration

• Analysis of hydrocarbons (FTIR)

• Analysis of char, ash and soot (SEM/EDX and pH)

• Microscopy

Power surge Analysis

• Distinction between lightening and power surge claims • Analysis of damage on PCB’s using SEM comparative methods

• Microscopy

Typical scenarios – Product failure

• Mechanical, Physical and Chemical investigation into the cause of events that led to a product condition in which the product no longer meets expectations.

• Examples:• Metals

• Non-Metals

Possible Methods of Analysis

• Metal

• Chemical verification (SEM and ICP MS)

• Contamination analysis (OES, XRF, SEM)

• Corrosion analysis (SEM, Microbiological testing)

• Fibre identification (SEM)

• Macro etching (SEM/EDX)

• Micro structure evaluation (SEM/EDS)

• Photo Documentation (Microscopy)

• Physical testing

• Surface contamination and weld evaluation (SEM and FTIR analysis)

Possible Methods of Analysis

• Non-Metals (Plastics, Composites, Adhesives, Coatings and Paint)

• Adhesive identification (FTIR)

• Coating contamination (Lab Analysis and FTIR)

• Paint identification (RAMAN, Physical testing and Photo documentation)

• Filter assemblies

• Plastic fatigue (Physical testing)

• Visual defects

• Plastic weld failures

• Solder failures and PDB contamination (SEM/EDX and FTIR)

Typical scenarios – Other

• Ground water contamination• Oil in water

• Ground water contaminations

• Chemical action

• Contamination• Petrochemical applications

• Lubricants

• Tribology failure analysis

• Authentication of Artwork and Valuables

Methods of Analysis – Other

• pH and conductivity

• TOC, TIC and TC analysis

• Oil analysis

• FTIR identification

• RAMAN Spectroscopy

Testing methods examples

• Non-Destructive methods• Physical investigation• Photography, Microscopy• RAMAN• XRF HH

• Destructive testing• SEM, TEM• FTIR and Imaging Analysis• TOC• XRF, XRD• OES• Oil Analysis

Reporting – Factual evidence

• A formal report will be compiled stating all the Analytical results and facts (approved by an Analytical Chemist)

• Possible cause and conclusion will be highlighted

• Short summary of outcome with photographic evidence will be supplied

Thank you!