PCSIR Islamabad

Fuel Research Centre, Karachi

PCSIR Laboratories Complex formerly known as the West Regional Laboratories started functioning with staff in a wing of the Punjab Universities, Institute of Chemistry in 1953. This set up was shifted in 1956 to the present permanent site for which 68.5 acres of the land were earmarked by the Punjab Government in 1955.

The laboratories are assisting the academic institutions by providing facilities to their M.Sc., M.Phill and Ph.D. students which to date can be counted in thousands Various Centres and Divisions are manned by highly trained researchers. Necessary additional facilities such as workshops, libraries and pilot plants are adequately available to meet the R&D support needs. PCSIR labs. Complex lahore is also certified under ISO 9001:2008 by TUV nord Germany.

PCSIR Labs Complex Lahore has the following functional centres under its umbrella:

Applied Chemistry Research Centre

Applied Chemistry Research Centre was established in 1989 by the up-gradation of Oils, Fats & Waxes Division that was setup in 1955 at PCSIR Laboratories, Lahore. This up-gradation was carried out in order to meet the increasing demands. Research & Development is undertaken for the utilization of locally available raw materials to substitute the imported products such as agricultural chemicals, pesticides, leather, cosmetics, perfumes, lubricants, greases, pharmaceuticals, textile auxiliaries and dyes. Advisory and quality control services are also offered to various SME’s/ clients in aforementioned fields.

Centre is also playing a vital role in human resource development in the form of provision of guidance and research facilities to the students of various universities and colleges for the degrees of B.Sc. (Hons.), M.Sc., M.Phil. & Ph.D.

The Center consists of the following sections:

Industrial Chemicals
Leather
Oils, Fats & Cosmetics
Paper
Petrochemicals
Pharmaceuticals
Plastics & Polymers
Textile & Dyes

Service Sectors:

Agricultural Chemicals Industry
Dye & Pigment Industry
Leather Industry
Oils, Fats & Cosmetics Industry
Paper Industry
Pharmaceutical Industry
Polymer & Plastic Industry
Textile Industry (Yarn, Fabric, Garment and Textile Auxiliaries)

Applied Physics, Computers and Research Centre

Calibration and Standardization Lab was established at PCSIR Labs Complex, Lahore in order to provide cost effective and time services to the Industries, Traders and Exporters. Theses services are Traceable to National & International Standards at NPSL Pakistan, PTB Germany, NPL England, NIST USA and NIM China. Calibration laboratory is also accredited under ISO/IEC 17025:2005 by PNAC. Over 1600 clients have been served by this Laboratory, more than 2000 instruments are being calibrated annually and this figure is increasing continuously. The calibration covers a wide range of Metrological parameters. The Laboratory is equipped with state of art equipment to provide technical assistance and calibration / Testing services to the manufacturers / exporters in their day to day developmental work and also for the finished products.

Its main activities are:

Dimensional Measurement
Volumetric Measurement
Mass & Force Measurement
Temperature Measurement
Electrical Measurement
Time Frequency Measurement
Pressure & Hydrostatic Measurement
Solution Standards Measurement etc

Technical Support / Consultancy:

Calibration Laboratory not only provides the Calibration Services but also offers Technical Assistance/ Consultancy to the industry. The clients are assisted to handle technical problems, providing rectified measures for ensuring quality & control.

Service Sectors:

Pakistan Railways
WAPDA
Pakistan International Airlines
Textile & Garment Industry
Tanneries
Pharmaceuticals
Automobile Industry
Chemical Industry
Food & beverage Industry
Electrical Wire & Fan Industry
Multinational Construction Companies
Hydral Projects
Transformer & Energy Meter Producers

Centre for Environmental Protection Studies

The centre for Environmental Protection Studies (CEPS) previously existed in the form of a section was given the status of the centre in 1991 to meet the increasing demands in various desciplines of Environmental Sciences. The centre has adequate technical manpower coupled with laboratory facilities. Highly technical instrumental and wet analysis of variety of solids, liquids, air and various types of industrial materials for quality assurance are available. These services are provided at National public interest to the industries for protection of the environment.

Main Functions:

Provision of technical expert guidance on environmental related issues in National and International Perspectives to help public, private and Government sector in the country
Design and Development of Industrial waste treatment technologies
Evaluation and Characterization of materials and wastes
Survey and monitoring of pollution sites
Preparation of environmental management related documents
Waste management (municipal, agricultural and industrial)
Technical guidance to Government of Pakistan in the formulation revision of National Environment Quality Standards
Human Resource Development Research facilities are provided to students for the completion of their Ph.D, M.Phill, M.Sc. and B.Sc. (Hons.) Degrees
Advisory consultancy trouble shooting services for problems faced by all types of industries
Centre is accredited for ISO-IEC-17025
Noise and Air emissions
Soil Texture and Characterization

Testing Services:

Surface, Ground, Irrigation and waste water analysis
Ambient Air quality monitoring
Measurement of vehicular Exhaust Gases Emissions
Measurement of Stack Emissions
On-Site toxic Gases and vapor Detection
Noise level measurement
Compost, Soil and sludge Analysis
Metal Testing at ppb & ppt levels
Organic compound assay

Production of Various Chemicals:

Analytical Laboratory grade chemicals are being used in large quantities in Research and Development organizations, industries, and routine testing laboratories, clinical laboratories, education institutions and many other organizations. The centre is also contributing towards solving the problems in terms of producing a few chemicals on micro-scale. Besides the centre is also disseminating its expertise towards following:

Consultancy Advisory Services
Research Publications
Technical Report writing

Service Sectors:

All types of Industries Categorized by >Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Solid Waste Management City District Government Lahore
WAPDA
WASA

Centre for Development of Laboratory Equipment

Centre for the Development of Laboratory Equipment PCSIR, Lahore has developed various Laboratory Equipment, which are being used in the R&D Organizations, Educational Institutions, Pharmaceutical Industry and in the Quality Control Labs. of several industries. Activity mentioned above is the outcome of long in house R&D efforts spread over a period of many years. Design, Development and Fabrication of Low Cost Laboratory Equipment is a great venture and breakthrough in scientific laboratory instrumentation. By now a large number of different instruments have been fabricated & supplied to many clients on demand. The consumer can have at least two or even three equally good compatible instruments in the price of one imported instruments. The performance of laboratory equipment developed by PCSIR has been tested by the end users and PCSIR is committed for regular backup services to valued customers.

Objective / Impact:

To supplement the Education, R&D and Industrial Sectors where the budget allocation constrained them to buy the costly Scientific Laboratory Equipment
To provide an equally good import substitute, which can save.
To help growth of industries rapidly, which as result will provide creation of more jobs to meet relief to unemployment.
To be self reliant in the field of Laboratory Equipment Development

Service Sectors:

Universities/ Educational Institutes
R&D Organizations
Pharmaceutical Industry
Petrochemical Industry
Textile Industry
Paper & Board Industry
Hospitals

Electrical Measurement Test Laboratory

Electrical Measurement & Test Laboratory (EMTL) was established at PCSIR Laboratories Complex, Lahore with the objective to provide services for conformity assessment of performance and safety of electrical products in compliance with relevant national and international practices. Services offered by EMTL are accrediated under ISO\IEC. 17025- 2005 with PNAC.

Main Activities:

Testing & Quality evaluation of home electrical appliances, cables, light source products and electrical accessories etc.
Provide advisory services to the manufacturer in establishing technical compliance to the most stringent global standards in quality and safety
Conduct surveys and in-house R&D studies to improve and optimize the quality of electrical products in order to cope with the increasing importance of standardization
Human Resource Development through short training courses

Domestic Appliances Test Lab.:

The Laboratory is equipped with state-of-art equipment to perform quality testing of domestic electrical appliances in accordance with relevant performance and safety standards

Electrical Fan
Washing Machine
Electrical Room Heater
Electric Storage Water Heater
Electric Water Coolers
Room Air Cooler, etc.

Lightening Products Test Lab.:

The laboratory facilities exist to conduct electrical and photometric tests on light sources products in addition safety tests.

Compact Fluorescent Lamps
Tubular Fluorescent Lamps
Tungsten Filament Lamps
High Pressure Discharge Lamps
Magnetic and Electronics Ballasts

Electrical Accessories Test Lab.:

The facilities include testing of:

Cables & Conductors
Switches, Sockets & Plugs
Electrical Conduits
Rubber Insulating Gloves
Lamp Holders, etc.

Mechanical & Environmental Test Lab.:

The Laboratory is equipped to conduct following mechanical and environmental tests on various electrical products and components

Hot & Cold Cyclic test
Damp Heat Cyclic test
IP Code verification of Enclosures
Cold Bend Test on Cables
Tensile Test
Cold Elongation Test
Ball Pressure Test
Fire Retardance Test
Glow Wire, Needle Flame and Tracking Test
Spring Hammer Test
Salt Spray Test
Dust Proof Test

Training Solutions:

EMTL provides customized training solutions to enhance the competence and skills of technical staff working in the relevant field
The Lab also offers Internship Training to the undergraduate and post graduate students of engineering universities and other technical institutions

Consultancy and Advisory Services:

The team of engineers and Scientists at EMTL work closely with clients through their product development processes, i.e. the initial compliance testing, compliance evaluation and full compliance testing phases.
The labs. extends services to the clients to incorporate the right safety, quality and performance standards even at the product design and development stage so as to enhance their first time prototype success rate while reducing time to market
The lab. can also offer consultancy services in development of quality management systems, producers and undertakes the full implementation and training of staff

Service Sectors:

Testing and Quality Evaluation of:

Home Electrical Appliances
Electrical Accessories
Light Source Products
Advisory services to manufacturers / exporters of consumer electrical products related performance & safety compliances.
Human Resources Development through short training courses.

Engineering Services Centre

The Engineering Services Centre restructured recently by the merger of Workshop and Pilot Plants to promote the R&D activities through pilot plants leading to commercialization.

Facilities:

Pilot Plants Section has a vast range of equipment facilities for the unit operations and unit processes required to test the Lab. Scale developed processes technologies in PCSIR. In addition Pilot Plants also extend the services to private / public entrepreneurs in respect of the production of various chemicals.

The centre has also mechanical workshop equipped with state of the art and necessary conventional machinery such as a CNC Machining & Turning Centers. Surface Finishing, Rolling Machine, Shearing Machine, Bending Machine, Argon Welding, Hydraulic Press, etc., and Quality Control & Design Section, The workshop undertakes fabrication in steel, stainless steel and non-ferrous material.

Main Activities:

Process Design & Evaluation
Designing, Fabrication, Installation & Commissioning of Equipment / Chemical Plants
Production of Industrial Chemicals on Pilot Plants
Trouble Shooting / Advisory / Consultancy Services to Chemical and allied industry
Techno Economic Feasibility Studies
Human Resource Development
Testing / Quality Evaluation of Domestic Gas Appliances

Food and Biotechnology Research Centre

Food and Biotechnology Research Centre was established in 1977 by the merger of two separate divisions namely, Biological Evaluation and Fermentation and Food Technology & Nutrition. Among the major objectives of this centre are the assistance in the establishment / development of food and biotechnology industry in the country through value-added output from low-priced raw material, bio-resource development and utilization, quality assurance of finished products, resolution of industrial trouble-shooting, and attracting small and medium level entrepreneurs to establish the industry. The Centre has well equiped laboratory, functional pilot plant, Integrated experimental field. In addition to the usual laboratory needs, specialized instruments include automatic absorptions spectrophotometer (AAS), high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC), gas chromatograph (GC, Ion Exchange Chromatograph, testing services of centre in the field of microbiology, mycotoxin & approximate analysis of food & feeding stuff are accreditated under ISO\IEC 17025:2005 with PNAC.

Main Activities:

Research and Development Work
- To Design and execute the projects of national needs related to food and Biotechnology industries
- To develop new and finished quality food and biotechnical products from low cost raw materials.
- To enhance interdisciplinary research and international collaboration in the field of food and biotechnology.
Industrial Linkage
- To establish linkage with industry for improving the performance of traditional food industries to meet our national needs.
- To transfer R&D based technology to the industry for commercial exploitation
Analytical Services To Food And Feed Industries
- Analytical Testing for Quality Assurance
- Product Certification
- Quality Control for Importers and Exporters
Technical Assitance To Food And Feed Industries
- Technical Guidance in Trouble Shootings
- Technical Support to Importers and Exporters
Human Resource Development
- Research facilities are provided to students for the completion of their Ph.D., M.Phill, M.Sc. and B.Sc. (Hons.) degrees. Country wide scientific and technical guidance to university / college faculty

Facilities Available:

The centre has well equipped laboratories, functional pilot plants, and integrated experimental field. In addition to the usual laboratory needs, specialized instruments include: Automatic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), High performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC), Gas Chromatograph (GC), Ion Exchange Chromatograph. Amino acid analyzer, assorted fermenters (bench scale to semi commercial scale) UV-VIS Spectrophotometer, Freeze Dryer, Ultra Centrifuges, controlled temperature incubator with illumination. Facilities for cell tissue culture and microbial culture collection are present. Full facilities are available for complete food analysis covering microbiology chemical composition and their nutritional profiles. The centre further has pilot plants for the production of food products, feedstuffs, industrial enzymes, acids and alcohol. A commercial twin-tunnel dehydration plant along with necessary set up is available for food products development and preservation. An integrated rural unit comprising of a biogas plant, poultry sheds, fish/algal pond and animal house is also available.

Main Groups of the Centre:

Cereal Technology Laboratory
Fruit and Vegetable Processing Laboratory
Dairy / Feed Nutrition Technology Laboratory
Meat and Meat Products Laboratory
Food Additives & Contaminant Laboratory
Microbiology Laboratory
Industrial Biotechnology Laboratory
Plant Biotechnology Laboratory
Bio-resource Utilization / Drinking Water Testing Laboratory

Analytical / Testing Services Available:

Microbiology (Food, Feed and Water)
Chemical Analysis (Food and Water)
Nutritional Analysis (Food and Food related items)
Mineral and Metal Estimation (Food, Feed and Water)
Vitamins Analysis (Food & Food Products)
Aflatoxins Analysis
Food Grade Color Analysis
Preservatives
Physical Analysis

Service Sectors:

Food & Food Products
Beverage Industry
Oils & Fats
Meat & Meat Products
Milk & Dairy Products
Bakery & Confectionary
Cereals & Spices

Glass & Ceramics Research Centre

Glass & Ceramics Research Centre was established for advancing material science and technology in Pakistan. The Centre is engaged in research and development of conventional as well as innovative functional glass & ceramics material and their product for industrial use.

Facilities:

Glass & Ceramics Research Centre is equipped with high sophisticated instruments and equipment. These are scanning electron microscope. Thermal analysis units and equipment for materials testing and their characterization. This centre is Capable of providing assistance and consultancies to related industries in their short and long term projects for the development of new projects. Import substitution and trouble shooting. In addition to the R&D activities, test and analysis/advisory services are also being rended to both public & private sectors in the field of glass, ceramics, refractors, cement and other building material. Centre is accreditated under ISO\IEC 17025:2005 with PNAC in these areas.

Services Rendered:

In addition to the R&D activities, test and analysis/advisory services are also being rendered to both public and private sectors in the fields of glass, ceramics, refrectories, cement and other building materials etc.

Academic Assistance and Trainings Imparted:

Glass & Ceramics Research Centre is extending its facilities to post-graduate research students working for their M.Sc. / Ph.D. degrees.

Service Sectors:

Glass Industry
Ceramic Industry
Building Materials
Refractory Industry

Mineral Processing Research Centre

The Mineral Processing Research Centre is engaged in R&D activities in areas related to mineralogy and mineral processing, underground coal gasification, product development chemical evaluation, technological promotion and industrial relations.

Most of the ores, as mined, are not suitable for industrial utilization till the undesirable impurities are removed. It is, therefore, essential to develop a suitable upgrading procedure for every ore at the laboratory scale and then run pilot plant scale trails to establish its industrial viability. Based on beneficiation studies, process flow sheets and pre-investments feasibilities are prepared which assist in taking investment decisions for the establishment of mineral utilization industries. The Multipurpose Ore Beneficiation Pilot Plant (MOB) is the first integrated unit within the county that has specifically designed and established at the Mineral Processing Research Centre, PCSIR, Lahore for undertaking beneficiation studies on almost all types of ores and minerals.

The R&D activities of the centre broadly relates to:

Identification and evaluation of the mineral resources
Beneficiations of ores
Testing and evaluation of metals and other industrial products
Evaluation and washibility of coal
Product development
Feasibility reports on different mineral based product industries
Advisory and consultancy services
Internship and training facilities to the mineral based industries and universities.

The centre is divided into different sections to carry out research and development work in specialized research areas.

Mineral Processing Section:

This section has a mineral processing laboratory and multipurpose ore beneficiation pilot plant, which is a centralized facility capable of beneficiation studies on almost all types of metallic and non-metallic minerals. It undertakes studies on the beneficiation of mineral raw materials to produce concentrates which provide feed stock for metallurgical operations and value added product.

Mineralagy / Petrography Section:

Petrography mineralogical and textural classification of rocks and mineral are undertaken using microscope.

Coal Technology Section:

This section undertakes test work on the washibility / cleaning of coal and chemical evaluation of coal. It is equipped with bomb calorimeter to determine calorific value of coal, diesel and furnace oil, rice husk, waste sludge wheat straw and related fuels. At present this section is involved in working on underground coal gasification, which is a project of national importance

Product Development Section:

It is primarily engaged in the activities of process development and production of industrial chemicals from indigenous and locally available raw material as per demand. The section is also establishing infrastructure for the production of developed chemicals on semi pilot scale production.

Hydrometallurgy Section:

This section is involved in hydrometallurgy, solvent extraction and bioleaching processes. The aim of this section is fixed on extraction of antimony, nickel, cobalt, magnesium and precious metals from indigenous raw materials.

Analytical Section:

This section is provided with facilities to carry out conventional and instrumental analysis of mineral and ores, industrial products and waste materials. It is equipped with advance instruments such as Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.

Services Offered:

Chemical analysis of ores, minerals, rocks, products and natural material.

Studies on the determination of mineral composition of mineral raw materials, products etc.,

Almost all types of ores and minerals by various units operation and beneficiation techniques on laboratory and pilot plant scale. Preparation of specific size fractions according to ASTM C-33 and ASTM C-260. Grinding upto 325 #. Size analysis of ground material, grindibility test (Bond Work Index). Potential Alkali reactivity of aggregates (ASTM C-289)

Washibility / cleaning, chemical evaluation, calorific value of coal, diesel and furnace oil, rice husk, waste sludge wheat straw and related fuels.

Development of flowsheets based on experimental results on laboratory and pilot plant scale as per processing of given materials.

MPRC offers to prepare feasibility studies on mineral processing and mineral utilization Projects

These are available to all interested agencies in the public and private sector on mutually agreed terms and conditions.

Chemical Evaluation
Mineralogy
Mineral Processing
Coal Testing
Flowsheet Development
Feasibility Studies
Advisory Services

Pakistan Institute of Technology for Minerals & Advance Engineering Materials (PITMAEM)

Government of Pakistan has upgraded the existing facilities of Materials Science Research Centre, PCSIR Laboratories Complex, Lahore into “Pakistan Institute of Technology for Minerals and Advanced Engineering Materials (PITMAEAM) in August 2003. This Institute is fully equipped with the latest, hi-tech equipment regarding the testing facilities for Automotive, Textile, Steel, Chemical, Petrochemical, Composite, Surgical and Rubber Industry and this institute consists of well trained experienced manpower. Testing facilities of the centre are accretitated under ISO\IEC 17025:2005 with PNAC This Institute has following testing facilities, technical support and consultancy services in the field of Metallurgy and Advanced Engineering Materials.

Major Facilities:

Centre of Industrial Coatings
Foundry Technology Centre
Nano Coating & Powders
Industrial / Advanced Composites Manufacturing facilities
Heat Treatment and Rolling Facilities, Complete Facilities of Powder Metallurgy
Complete Facilities of Nano Destructive Evaluation
Complete facilities for Assaying and Hallmarking of Jewelry and Gem Testing.

Technical Support Division:

This Division has the following facilities:

Chemcial Assaying Division:

Carbon / sulfur Determinator used for determination of carbon and sulfur content in metal, Ores, Ceramics and other inorganic materials. The range of carbon to be found is 4 ppm to 3.5% and for sulfur is 4 ppm to 0.4.%

Optical Emission Spectrometer
Carbon Sulfur Determinator
X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer

Non Destructive Testing Division:

X-ray are used for detection of subsurface defects upto 75mm of stell and equivalent

Sound waves are used for the detection of subsurface defects in the materials having thickness upto 10m of steel & equivalent.

Used for surface inspection & detection of internal blowholes, cavities etc. for ferrous and non-ferrous materials of any shapes.

Used mainly for thickness determination or remaining wall thickness of corroded pipes, structures, vessels, or any other shape.

Radiographic Testing
Ultrasonic Flaw Detector
Eddy Current Testing
Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge
Magnetic Particle Inspection
Dye Penetrant Testing

Solid Atomic imagination Division:

This division is equipped with most modern and advance microscopes which includes:

Surface modification Division:

The cost of industry is high in wear and corrosion in equipments. Recognition of this fact lies behind the continuing development of technology known as surface modification. Complete facilities of coating on substrates made of steel base with the coating processes at temperature 350-5500C. These coating can be developed and realize as Mono layer, Multilayer, Nano composites, Nano gradients and as combinations of these coating. Facilities of coating of small parts down to Ø1mm and large parts upto Ø300 mm with a height of upto Ø400mm.

Facilities of characterize the coatings up to nano scale using SPM with different modes like contact mode, non contact mode, STM mode etc, defined as excellent adherence high hardness and outstanding wear resistance behaviour.

Other Avalaiable Facilities are:

Plasma spray coating
Electric Wire Spray Coating
Thermo Powder Spray Coating
Thermal Wire Spray Coating

Jewellery and Hallmarking Division:

XRF is used to detect the %age composition of precious metals specially Gold, Silver, Platinum etc. This equipment gives the composition of 30 elements with accuracy level upto 4 decimel point. This division is also equipped with high power Laser Marking & Fire Assaying facilities.

Mechanical Testing Division:

Complete facilities of mechanical testing includes:

Tensile Testing Machine 1KN to 5KN, Electro-Hydraulic Universal (100 ton) testing machine for metallic and non-metallic materials for tension, compression, flexure bending and shearing stress

Charpy Impact Testing Machine
Fatigue Testing Machine
Hardness Tester (Rockwell, Brinell, Micro Vickers and Portable
Recognition
On Site Testing

PITMAEAM is providing testing facilities at the door step with professional manner within shortest possible time for life assessment of plants in different sectors likes Fertilizer, Chemical Petrochemical, Gas Pipe Lines Refineries & Processing Units.

Consultancy Services:

Consultancy services are also available for all the materials related to failure analysis, trouble shooting, product developments, investigation, registration and auditing of materials & processing standards.

Service Sectors:

Steel & its allied industries
Auto manufacturing industries
Chemical industries
Petro chemicals industries
Textile industries
Fertilizer industries
Surgical industries
Tool manufacturing industries