X-ray Fluorescence Analysis with Variable Irradiation Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
In situ X-ray fluorescence analysis of mineral samples is often unreliable and requires extensive sample preparation, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for confirmatory laboratory analysis.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a sample container that provides multiple irradiation paths through the sample, allowing for adjustable X-ray beam energy and path length, along with a transmission detector for correcting attenuation variations, enhances the detection of a wide range of elements with improved accuracy and reduced sample preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If in situ X-ray fluorescence analysis is performed without extensive sample preparation, then analysis speed and cost efficiency are improved, but reliability and accuracy of the analysis deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing extensive sample preparation (drying, grinding to fine-grained structure, and careful packing into cups) before the actual analysis. This ensures uniform density and representative sampling, which improves reliability and accuracy of the in situ analysis, allowing it to replace confirmatory laboratory analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting X-ray tube voltage (energy) to match the excitation energy requirements of different elements. The energy is adapted to the specific analysis needs, improving detection accuracy for elements with different atomic numbers while maintaining efficient in situ analysis capabilities.
2Ease of manufacture
If in situ X-ray fluorescence analysis is performed without extensive sample preparation, then cost efficiency is improved, but accuracy and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing extensive sample preparation (drying, grinding to fine-grained structure, and careful packing into cups) before the actual analysis. This ensures uniform density and representative sampling, which improves reliability and accuracy of the in situ analysis, allowing it to replace confirmatory laboratory analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting X-ray tube voltage (energy) to match the excitation energy requirements of different elements. The energy is adapted to the specific analysis needs, improving detection accuracy for elements with different atomic numbers while maintaining efficient in situ analysis capabilities.
3Device complexity
If a single irradiation path is used through the sample, then device complexity is reduced, but detectability of elements with wide range of atomic numbers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the irradiation path variable rather than fixed. The sample container is rotatably arranged, enabling the irradiation path through the mineral sample to be varied during analysis. This dynamic adjustment allows optimization of path length for different elements, improving detectability across a wide range of atomic numbers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting X-ray tube voltage (energy) to match the excitation energy requirements of different elements. The energy is adapted to the specific analysis needs, improving detection accuracy for elements with different atomic numbers while maintaining efficient in situ analysis capabilities.
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
This approach enables more reliable and cost-efficient in situ analysis, reducing the need for laboratory confirmation and accelerating the prospecting process by improving the detectability and accuracy of elements across a wide range of atomic numbers.
Implementation Method 1
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis is widely used for chemical analysis of materials, and one of the applications is within geochemistry
Implementation Method 2
mineral samples are irradiated by an X-ray beam, whereby fluorescent radiation is emitted by elements contained therein
Implementation Method 3
The fluorescent radiation can be analyzed, for instance, by energy dispersive analysis, whereby the energies of the photons are analyzed
Implementation Method 4
the fluorescent radiation needs to have sufficiently high energy to escape the mineral sample without excessive attenuation
Implementation Method 5
measuring X-ray transmission through the mineral sample during irradiation
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for X-ray fluorescence analysis of a mineral sample is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an X-ray source (2) for generating an X-ray beam to irradiate the mineral sample; at least one fluorescence detector (4,5) for measuring fluorescent radiation emitted by the mineral sample when irradiated by the X-ray beam; and a processing unit for providing an analysis of the mineral sample based on the measurements made by the at least one fluorescence detector (4,5). Further, the apparatus comprises a sample container (3) arranged to hold the mineral sample during the irradiation, wherein the sample container is arranged to provide at least two different irradiation paths through said mineral sample during irradiation. An advantage with this arrangement is that it enables analysis of elements having a wide range of atomic numbers in a single sample with improved reliability and accuracy. This results in maximized detectability for a wide range of elements, while reducing the number of samples that needs to be prepared. The present invention also leads to simplified sample preparation, and to a faster and more cost-efficient analysis. This makes the apparatus particularly useful for field use.