X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer Total Analysis Time Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray fluorescence spectrometers calculate total analysis time based solely on counting time, which can significantly differ from the actual total analysis time, making it difficult to determine a suitable counting time for achieving necessary analytical precision.
Innovation Solution
A sequential X-ray fluorescence spectrometer that includes a total analysis time display unit to calculate and display the total analysis time by accounting for sample transfer time, measurement condition change time, and counting time, allowing for accurate determination of counting time for required analytical precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If only counting time is calculated and outputted, then the calculation is simple, but the total analysis time information is inaccurate and misleading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total analysis time into distinct components: sample transfer time, measurement condition change time, and counting time. Each component is calculated separately and then aggregated to provide the total analysis time, ensuring accuracy while maintaining clarity in the calculation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by displaying both the individual time components and the total analysis time to the user. This allows users to understand the breakdown of time usage and verify the accuracy of the calculation, preventing information loss while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Productivity
If counting time per component is set short to increase throughput, then productivity increases, but the total analysis time becomes significantly different from total counting time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of sample transfer time and measurement condition change time before the actual analysis. By pre-determining these fixed time components, the system can accurately calculate total analysis time even when counting times are shortened to increase throughput, preventing time loss discrepancies.
3Measurement precision
If counting time is extended to improve analytical precision, then measurement precision improves, but total analysis time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows dynamic adjustment of counting time as a variable parameter while keeping sample transfer time and measurement condition change time as fixed parameters. Users can optimize counting time based on desired precision requirements, and the system automatically recalculates total analysis time to reflect these parameter changes, balancing precision and duration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy determination of total analysis time and appropriate counting time, improving analytical precision and throughput by accurately accounting for all components of the analysis process.
Implementation Method 1
irradiate a sample with primary X-rays to measure an intensity of fluorescent X-rays generated
Implementation Method 2
a detector to detect the fluorescent X-rays
Data Source
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AI summary
A sequential X-ray fluorescence spectrometer according to the present invention includes a total analysis time display unit configured to measure, for each kind of analytical sample, a standard sample which contains a component at a known content as a standard value to determine a measured intensity of each measurement line corresponding to the component. The total analysis time display unit is further configured to calculate, for each component, a counting time which gives a specified analytical precision by using the standard value and the measured intensity and to calculate a total counting time as a sum of the counting times of respective components. The total analysis time display unit is configured to calculate a total analysis time as a sum of the total counting time and a total non-counting time and to output the calculated total analysis time and the calculated counting times of the respective components.