EDXRF & XRT

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Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) is a routinely used analytical technique for the qualitative and quantitative determination of major and minor atomic elements in a wide variety of sample types. The heart of its versatility stems from the ability to provide rapid, non-destructive, multi-element analyses—from low parts-per-million (ppm) levels to high weight percent (wt%) concentrations—for elements from sodium (¹¹Na) to uranium (⁹²U).

X-ray Transmission (XRT) on-line process analyzers are routinely employed to classify crude oil and marine bunker fuels that contain 0.02-6 wt% sulfur (S). In this method, sulfur absorbs X-rays transmitted between an X-ray source and detector. The technique is well suited to the high pressures and extreme temperatures employed in transmission pipelines and blending operations.

Geology

Rapid Elemental Analysis with Minimal to No Standards

In studying the planetary processes and makeup of the Earth (geology), geologists routinely analyze the composition of rock and mineral samples. Rapid elemental analyses for sodium (¹¹Na) through uranium (⁹²U) can be accomplished, through the use of cost-effective, high-performance Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) instrumentation without destruction, digestion or alteration of the sample. Eliminating the need for a wet chemistry lab has made the EDXRF technique of particular interest to the geological community.

Semiquantitative elemental analysis without standards

The Rigaku NEX CG EDXRF is powered by a new qualitative and quantitative analytical software, RPF-SQX, that features Rigaku Profile Fitting (RPF) technology. The software allows semi-quantitative analysis of almost all sample types without standards - and rigorous quantitative analysis with a few standards. Featuring Rigaku's famous Scatter FP method, the software can automatically estimate the concentration of unobserved low atomic number elements (H to F) and provide appropriate corrections.

RPF-SQX greatly reduces the number of required standards, for a given level of calibration fit, as compared to conventional EDXRF analytical software. As standards are expensive, and can be difficult to obtain for newly developed materials, the utility of having a NEX CG spectrometer can significantly lower costs and reduce workload requirements for routine elemental analysis needs.

Geology information and resources

American Geophysical Union
European Geosciences Union
Geological Society of America
U.S. Geological Survey
Geological Association of Canada
Geological Survey of Canada
Russian Mineralogical Society
European Mineralogical Union
Bayerisches Geoinstitut, Universitat Bayreuth
The Fluorescent Mineral Society
The Geochemical Society
The Geological Society - London, U.K.
International Mineralogical Association
Mindat Mineralogical Database
Webmineral Mineralogy Database
Mineralogical Society of America
Mineralogy 4 Kids (MSA)
Mineralogical Association of Canada
The Giant Crystal Project
Mineralogy and Petrology Research Links- University of Dayton
Rocks and Minerals
Wikipedia: Geology
Wikipedia: Mineralogy

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