A Portable Radioisotope X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer and Its Applications

Abstract

Characteristic features of a new portable radioisotope X-ray fluorescence analyzer and an experimental study on its applications are described. This apparatus consists of a probe and an electronic unit, whose weight is 1.7 kg and 7 kg, respectively. The general method of X-ray spectral analysis is the energy analysis using a proportional counter and a single channel pulse height analyzer. X-ray filters are used when it is necessary. In practical application, characteristic X-rays of wanted elements can be selected by a rotary switch.
Analysis of alloys, mineral and other samples has been studied. Detection limits of the order of 10 ppm have been obtained in the analysis of Cu in aluminum alloy, V, Zr, Mo and W in alloy steel.In the practical application of alloy sorting, the difference of 0.2% of above mentioned elements can be discriminated in the short time from one to three seconds. Four and five seconds are required for the discrimination of the difference of 1% for Cr and Ni in alloy steel. In the analysis of mineral samples, . linear calibration line without matrix correction can be ordinarily applied for the determination of element above 1 % in concentration. Relative error is 10% for the element 1 % in mean concentration, relative error below 3 % for the element above 15 % in mean concentration. In the determination of Mn in aqueous solution and Mn deposit on a filter paper, detection limits were as low as 10 ppm and 2.2 μg/cm², respectively.