Teaching Laboratories

• The department operates a large number of Laboratories devoted for teaching and research. Many of these laboratories are used for the regular chemistry courses and senior projects carried out by students. The laboratories listed below are classified according to the various divisions in the department:

  • General Chemistry Laboratories

    • There are 7 laboratories equipped with instruments, devices and materials necessary to run basic chemistry experiments taught in the two freshman chemistry courses CHEM- 101 and CHEM-102.

  • Analytical Chemistry Laboratories

    • These laboratories (3) provide training in the basic methods of analysis namely, wet chemical methods including titrametric and gravimetric methods of analysis. They are are also provided with instrumental analysis facilities such as flame atomic absorption, flame atomic emission, inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometers, various electroanalytical facilities, a gas chromatograph and a C, H,N and S elemental analyzer. The laboratories serve three courses, namely, CHEM-223,CHEM-323, and CHEM-324 as well as the senior projects (CHEM-471 and CHEM-472). They also serve the community by carrying out various types of chemical analyses.

  • Physical Chemistry Laboratories

    • The laboratories (2) are equipped to carry out experiments to illustrate gas laws, calorimetry, electrochemistry, kinetics, viscosity and others. They are used for CHEM-212 and CHEM-311 as well as senior projects.

  • Organic Chemistry Laboratories

    • They are provided with basic equipment required to carry out synthesis of various organic compounds and some means required in identification of the organic compounds. These equipment include: classical devices, spectrometers (visible-UV and infrared spectrometers), chromatographs, refractometers, polarometers, etc. These laboratories are used for CHEM-201, CHEM -202, CHEM-303 and senior project courses.

  • Inorganic Chemistry Laboratories

    • The laboratories are used mainly for CHEM- 331 and the senior project courses. They contain the main facilities necessary for synthesis of coordination complexes and organometallic complexes which may be utilized as catalysts.

  • Polymer Chemistry Laboratory

    • It contains the necessary facilities for the synthesis of various types of polymers and the study of their physical properties. The laboratory is provided with facilities used for complete characterization of polymers which include, a vapor phase osmometer, membrane osmometer thermogravimetric measurement devices, etc. The laboratory serves mainly CHEM-450 and the senior project courses.

  • Industrial Chemistry Laboratory

    • The laboratory is designed to run an industrial chemistry course and for applied research in the fields of catalysis and petrochemistry. Facilities necessary for synthesis and testing of catalysts, pilot plant operation, etc. are available in.

     

General Purpose Facilities

• Oil Testing Center (OTC)

  • Objectives of the Oil Testing Center

    1. Performing standard tests on crude oil and petroleum products such as fuels and lubricating oils used or produced by governmental or non- governmental corporations.

    2. Consulting services for local and neighboring petroleum industries.

    3. Research and development projects.

    4. Training technical personnel and students (undergraduate or graduate) in techniques applied in crude oil and petroleum product testing.

  • OTC laboratories and facilities

    • The center is equipped with major instruments such as: High performance liquid chromatograph, an Atomic absorption spectrophotometer, a Mass spectrometer and others, in addition to instruments needed for standard test required for crude oil and petroleum products.

  • Tests

    • Standard tests are performed according to current standards. Methods are taken from the American Society for Testing Materials, ASTM, the British Institute of Petroleum, and others. The possibility of carrying out other tests upon request, may be explored.

  • Some Activities Cooperating  with the following agencies:

    • Petrolube

      • The quality of petroleum products distributed by Petrolube was monitored.

    • Royal Saudi Air Force

      • Samples of used oils from jet engines after specific flying periods were analyzed to determine the percent wear in the different parts of the engine.

    • SEC

      • Tests (dielectric strength test and chromatographic analysis of gas components).

    • Others

      • The Center has also been involved in a program in which regular tests have been carried out on fighter and tank fuels as well as engine lubricating oils for the allied forces during the Gulf war.

• The General Instrumentation Laboratory

  • The laboratory contains instruments for students to be used for regular courses and senior projects as well as research.

• Glass Blowing Workshop

  • An experienced glass blower is available with the required equipment and materials to carry out all kinds of glass blowing operations.

• PC Facilities in the Department

  • The department is provided with a PC laboratory in addition to the PC sets available in many of the teaching laboratories.

• Electronic Workshop

  • An electronic work shop is available in the Department. Experienced electronic engineer available to take care of trouble shooting, repairing and maintenance of departmental electronic equipment.