Energy dispersive X-Ray fluorescence determination of thorium in phosphoric acid solutions

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence studies on determination of thorium (in the range of 7 to 137 mg/mL) in phosphoric acid solutions obtained by dissolution of thoria in autoclave were made. Fixed amounts of Y internal standard solutions, after dilution with equal amount of phosphoric acid, were added to the calibration as well as sample solutions. Solution aliquots of approximately 2–5 µL were deposited on thick absorbent sheets to absorb the solutions and the sheets were presented for energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence measurements. A calibration plot was made between intensity ratios (Th Lα/Y Kα) against respective amounts of thorium in the calibration solutions. Thorium amounts in phosphoric acid samples were determined using their energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectra and the above calibration plot. The energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence results, thus obtained, were compared with the corresponding gamma ray spectrometry results and were found to be within average deviation of 2.6% from the respective gamma ray spectrometry values. The average precision obtained in energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence determinations was found to be 4% (1σ). The energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence method has an advantage over gamma ray spectrometry for thorium determination as the amount of sample required and measurement time is far less compared to that required in gamma ray spectrometry.     

Comparison of analytical methods for the determination of trace amounts of strontium and yttrium by photon induced X-ray fluorescence techniques in lateritic materials

Three different analytical methods for the determination of strontium and yttrium in Venezuelan latterites by radioisotope induced X-ray fluorescence are compared, also with results from conventional wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence. The samples analyzed were from Cerro Impacto, Venezuela. The photon-induced energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence system consisted of a¹⁰⁹Cd (7 mCi) source for excitation of the characteristic K X-rays for strontium and yttrium. The detection system employed a high resolution Si(Li) detector and was completely controlled by a PDP-11/05 processor. Of the three analytical methods described, the internal standard-thin film technique was shown to be slightly superior to the conventional standard calibration curve method and the standard additon/dilution procedure. This can be explained by considering the effectiveness of the compensation of the sources of errors by these methods. It should also be noted that in the case of wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence, an about 5–10 times greater sample is needed, which is a limitation compared to energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence in some cases. Finally, typical relative standard deviations of the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence methods were about 10–15% for the range of about 100–100 ppm of strontium and yttrium; these values are acceptable considering the large degree of heterogeneity in this type of geological material. This project was funded by Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Technológicas (CONICIT) and performed as part of UNESCO's IGCP-129 “Lateritization Processes” project.     

Analysis of nuclear materials by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and spectral effects of alpha decay

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectra collected from alpha emitters are complicated by artifacts inherent to the alpha decay process, particularly when using portable instruments. For example, ²³⁹Pu EDXRF spectra exhibit a prominent uranium L X-ray emission peak series due to sample alpha decay rather than source-induced X-ray fluorescence. A portable EDXRF instrument was used to collect qualitative spectra from plutonium and americium, and metal alloy identification was performed on a Pu-contaminated steel sample. Significant alpha decay-induced X-ray fluorescence peaks were observed in spectra obtained from the plutonium and americium samples due to the ²³⁵U and ²³⁷Np daughters, respectively. The plutonium sample was also analyzed by wavelength dispersive XRF (WDXRF) to demonstrate that alpha decay-induced X-ray emission has a negligible effect on WDXRF spectra.     

Radiometric measurements on non-destructive assay standards fabrication for WIPP Performance Demonstration Program

Fifteen ash samples taken from filters and bottom products of boilers or chimneys of seven coal fired power plants in Turkey have been analysed quantitatively for some minor elements using radioisotope energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). It is found that samples contain Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Cs, Sb, Ba, Pb, Y, La, Ce, Nd and Sm in different amounts. An ash sample taken from the electro-filter of the Ambarli, fuel oil fired-power plant was also analysed for comparison and found that it contained the smallest amount of potentially toxic elements.     

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence determination of cadmium in uranium matrix using Cd Kα line excited by continuum

An energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence method for determination of cadmium (Cd) in uranium (U) matrix using continuum source of excitation was developed. Calibration and sample solutions of cadmium, with and without uranium were prepared by mixing different volumes of standard solutions of cadmium and uranyl nitrate, both prepared in suprapure nitric acid. The concentration of Cd in calibration solutions and samples was in the range of 6 to 90 µg/mL whereas the concentration of Cd with respect to U ranged from 90 to 700 µg/g of U. From the calibration solutions and samples containing uranium, the major matrix uranium was selectively extracted using 30% tri-n-butyl phosphate in dodecane. Fixed volumes (1.5 mL) of aqueous phases thus obtained were taken directly in specially designed in-house fabricated leak proof Perspex sample cells for the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence measurements and calibration plots were made by plotting Cd Kα intensity against respective Cd concentration. For the calibration solutions not having uranium, the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectra were measured without any extraction and Cd calibration plots were made accordingly. The results obtained showed a precision of 2% (1σ) and the results deviated from the expected values by < 4% on average.     

The influence of fuel additives on the behaviour of gaseous alkali-metal compounds during pulverised coal combustion

The alkali-metal vapour release during pulverised hard (bituminous) coal combustion was investigated in a semi-technical drop flow reactor in the temperature range 1100-1400 degrees C. Absolute concentrations of total gas-phase sodium and potassium species were determined using the in situ/on-line excimer laser induced fragmentation fluorescence technique (ELIF). Alkali-metal concentrations measured for the untreated coals were found to be in the range 0.1 to 4.7 ppm, depending on the temperature. As well as observing the temperature dependence, the effect of co-feeding defined amounts of silica and clay minerals was studied. In addition, to assist interpretation of ELIF measurements, ash samples were taken and analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The additives lead to a pronounced binding of the alkali-metal species and suppression of the sharp temperature dependence observed without co-feeding. Therefore, the use of such getter materials can be confirmed as an effective way to remove corrosive alkali-metal species from the flue gas in pulverised coal combustion.     

不同灰化温度下生物质混煤灰的烧结特性研究

选取晋城无烟煤和麦秆作为研究对象,利用压差法烧结温度测定装置测量不同灰化温度下煤和麦秆混合灰的烧结温度,再利用SEM-EDS以及XRD对灰样进行烧结特性分析。结果表明,不论灰化温度高低,随着麦秆的添加,煤和麦秆混合灰的烧结温度都呈现降低趋势,其降低幅度略有差别。灰化温度较低时,煤和麦秆混合灰的烧结温度低于灰化温度较高情况下混合灰的烧结温度。SEM-EDS分析表明,低温灰化得到的样品中出现较多不规则的纤维结构;较高温度下获得的灰样中出现较多致密的球状颗粒,这表明矿物质发生熔融形成球状颗粒。XRD分析表明,低温灰化烧结后的煤和麦秆混合灰样中因含有较多的含钾等碱金属系助融矿物质,导致混合灰样的烧结温度降低。然而,像钙长石等含钙矿物质本身具有较高的熔点,因此,在1 100℃时混合灰样具有较高的烧结温度。     

X-ray spectrometry using polycapillary X-ray optics and position sensitive detector

Polycapillary X-ray optics (capillary X-ray lens) are now popular in X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. Such an X-ray lens can collect X-rays emitted from an X-ray source in a large solid angle and form a very intense X-ray microbeam which is very convenient for microbeam X-ray fluorescence (MXRF) analysis giving low minimum detection limits (MDLs) in energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). A new method called position sensitive X-ray spectrometry (PSXS) which combines an X-ray lens used to form an intense XRF source and a position sensitive detector (PSD) used for wavelength dispersive spectrometry (WDS) measurement was developed recently in the X-ray Optics Laboratory of Institute of Low Energy Nuclear Physics (ILENP) at Beijing Normal University. Such a method can give high energy and spacial resolution and high detection efficiency simultaneously. A short view of development of both the EDXRF using a capillary X-ray lens and the new PSXS is given in this paper.     

Study of uranium contamination of ground water in Punjab state in India using X-ray fluorescence technique

The elemental concentration of uranium in the samples collected from the ground water and the canal water in the Bathinda district of Punjab state, India, have been investigated using X-ray fluorescence technique. The residues obtained after drying the water samples were analysed using the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer consisting of Mo-anode X-ray tube equipped with selective absorbers as an excitation source and an Si(Li) detector. The uranium concentration values in significant fraction of the shallow ground water samples from the hand pumps is found to be above the permissible level of 15?ppb recommended by World Health Organisation for the drinking water, and its values in the canal water samples are below 5?ppb. To investigate the flyash from the coal-fired thermal power plants as a possible source of ground water contamination, the water samples collected from the surroundings of the power plants and the flyash samples were also analyzed. The results rule out flyash as a source of uranium contamination. Agrochemical processes occurring in the calcareous soils in the region are the favoured potential source of uranium contamination of the ground water.     

Physicochemical investigation of some archaeometallurgical findings from locality Kmpije (Bor,Serbia)

Preliminary results of physicochemical investigation of some archaeometallurgical findings from Kmpije locality in vicinity of Bor (Serbia) are presented in this paper. Ancient samples of prehistoric origin were investigated using different instrumental analytic methods—chemical, differential thermal, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis. Obtained results indicate to the presence of ancient metallurgical activities, so locality Kmpije may be considered as an archaeometallurgical site, which should be investigated more in future for more precise details.     

准东高钠煤热解过程中钠的迁移特性实验研究

针对新疆准东煤田高钠煤(简称准东高钠煤)在发电锅炉燃烧时遇到结渣黏污严重的问题,基于立式管式炉热解,利用电感耦合等离子体-原子发射光谱(ICP-AES)、X射线衍射(XRD)以及扫描电镜-能谱(SEM-EDX)等检测手段,分析了准东高钠煤在不同热解温度下碱金属钠的析出特性、赋存形态以及热解半焦的微观形貌.利用Fact sage 6.1化学热力学平衡计算软件分析了碱金属的析出形式.结果表明,准东高钠煤中的碱金属钠在热解过程中有部分析出,开始的析出温度为600 ℃,当热解温度达900 ℃时,碱金属钠的析出率为40.2%;碱金属钠在热解过程中主要以NaCl的形式析出;热解温度低于900 ℃时,没有熔融态物质生成.     

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and neutron activation analysis of surficial sediments of the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea around Istanbul

Surficial sediment samples, collected from 27 sampling sites of the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea nearby Istanbul area in 1996 and 1999 years, were analyzed quantitatively for some heavy metals and some other elements by using radioisotope excited energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). The U and Th concentrations of the samples were determined by instrumental neutron activation (INAA). The results were compared with those from other contaminated and uncontaminated sedimentary materials. It is found that some elemental concentrations of the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea sediments are comparable with those in most other sea sediments in the vicinity of densely populated regions.     

A method for prompt in situ uranium assay and free acidity determination in uranyl nitrate solutions by density and Raman measurements

A precise and accurate compositional characterization methodology using wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometry for mixed oxide nuclear fuels is reported. The methodology involves pelletization of standards and samples. The calibration plots were made by plotting the percent intensity of analyte X-ray lines against their amount percent. The relative standard deviation were 0.4% and 0.25%, respectively for uranium and thorium, having U ranging from 2.85 to 4.2 (wt%). The analytical results were compared with chemical analysis method and were in good agreement. The developed WDXRF method is non-destructive, fast and better in comparison to chemical analysis methods.

     

Determination of elemental composition of aluminosilicate clays by EDXRF

Aluminosilicate clay samples were analyzed for the constituent elements with respect to a certified reference material using microcrystalline cellulose powder as a binder for presentation as a pressed pellet to an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Sample preparation for presentation is highlighted. The data manipulation to achieve the analytical accuracy from the inherent precision is discussed.     

Mercury analysis in environmental samples by EDXRF and CV-AAS

The analysis of total Hg in various environmental matrices was investigated using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) for both powdered and digested samples and cold vapor atomic absorption (CV-AAS) for digested samples. Several microwave decomposition procedures were evaluated with respect to the determination of Hg by CV-AAS and EDXRF. The use of different acid mixtures, microwave power settings and decomposition times were compared as well as the analysis on wet and freeze-dried samples. A set of standard reference samples were used to evaluate the procedures: NBS Citrus leaves (1572), NRC Pine needles (1575), NRC Dogfish muscle tissue (DORM-2), NRC Dogfish liver tissue (DOLM-2), BCR Human hair (397), BCR Coking coal (181) and NRC Marine sediment (PACS-1). An H₂SO₄/HNO₃/H₂O₂ acid mixture was found to be optimal for the complete mineralization and digestion of biological samples for Hg by CV-AAS whereas for EDXRF both the HNO₃/H₂O₂ and H₂SO₄/HNO₃/H₂O₂ acid mixture gave good results. The detection limit of EDXRF could significantly be decreased (from 0.2 μg/g to 0.058 μg/g) by performing the analysis with digested samples. A good agreement was obtained between CV-AAS and EDXRF analysis. The obtained results were also in good agreement with certified values. The methods were applied to environmental samples (coal, trees, leaves, spinach, fish, sediments) and human hair in a coal mining area and in places where they use coal for cooking in Vietnam. Received: 24 February 1997 / Revised: 13 June 1997 / Accepted: 18 June 1997     

Determination of arsenic, antimony and selenium in biological samples by hydride evolution and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Summary A method for the simultaneous determination of arsenic, selenium and antimony in biological samples by means of wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRFS) is described. The method entails a procedure for the destruction of the biological material, followed by the simultaneous generation and accumulation of the hydrides of the elements of interest onto an impregnated cellulose filter, and measurement by XRFS.     

X射线荧光光谱法结合多元统计学对热敏纸的检验研究

为建立一种快速且无损检验热敏纸的科学有效的方法,利用能量色散型X射线荧光光谱(XRF)对38个不同商家,不同规格的热敏纸样品进行检验,首先根据每个样品所测量得到的元素的不同,将38个样品分成四大类,同时采用SPSS25.0软件中的系统聚类法对38个样品的元素数据进行聚类分析处理,结果分成了12小组,再结合SPSS25.0软件中的判别分析法对上述结果进行验证,实现了基于X射线荧光光谱结合聚类分析建立数学模型用于区分热敏纸种类的目的,该方法简单易行,可以为案件侦破提供线索、指明方向。     

X-射线荧光光谱分析技术的发展

归纳了X-射线荧光光谱分析技术发展的进程。从现代控制技术的改善、仪器检测性能的提高、元素检测范围的扩大等8方面阐述了波长色散X-射线荧光光谱技术的进展,还就能量色散X-射线荧光光谱仪的X射线管和探测器技术的快速发展及近10年来我国在X-射线荧光光谱分析方法方面的论文发表情况进行了总结,对近年来X-射线荧光光谱仪的发展趋势———手持式、偏振、微束分析等进行了评述,并对其技术的发展方向进行了展望。     

Determination of sulphur in liquids obtained by thermal cracking of waste polymers and commercial fuels with different analytical methods

Low sulphur concentration in hydrocarbon products as fuels or lubricants is an important requirement for the high quality standards of refineries. A non-polarised energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRFS) and sample combustion technique (ASTM D6428-99) was compared. A new application of energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry as analytical method for the determination of sulphur in fuels and fuel-like fractions was investigated. Low sulphur containing fuels and hydrocarbon mixtures obtained by thermal cracking of waste polymers were measured and the influence of C/H ratio on accuracy was studied. The concentration of sulphur in samples was measured with calibration graphs of different hydrocarbon matrices (commercial gasoline, diesel oil and white oil were used). Good correlation was observed between the different methods, but the correlation was depending on the characteristics of the matrices. Detection limits of 1.0 ppm, 1.1 ppm and 0.9 ppm were obtained for S in gasoline, diesel oil and white oil, respectively.     

X-ray scattering and multivariate analysis for classification of organic samples: a comparative study using Rh tube and synchrotron radiation

This work compares the performance of X-ray tube induced and synchrotron induced energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence in generating scattering profiles when organic samples are irradiated. In the first case, this effect produces sharper peaks, well defined in the spectra, whereas synchrotron-induced scatter are seen as broad bands. These effects may be used for classifying simple materials like graphite, coke, activated carbon and carbon nanotubes, all having the same composition but different structures, using multivariate data analysis. In a second sample set, the method was applied to liquid samples of different alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol and 2-propanol). Classifications were obtained in both cases independent of the X-ray source (synchrotron radiation or X-ray tube radiation), showing that the use of chemometric tools combined with X-ray spectrometry can efficiently distinguish organic samples by using scattering effects.