An x-ray fluorescence (“XRF”) analyzer refers to a non-destructive x-ray instrument used in procedural chemical analysis of minerals, rocks, fluids and minerals. It determines the chemical composition of different materials. Since the 1960s, portable XRF equipment has existed and with each decade that passed, been improved in terms of performance, ease of use and size as technology evolved. In today’s world, portable XRF analyzers are used in most field industries as they possess a vast range of applications.
The following are a few of the uses of the portable XRF analyzer.
Studying rocks
Lithology is the study of the physical characteristics of rocks. This process can be time consuming and should be carried out off site, which can be taxing, not to mention it requires laboratory methods such as optical microscopy. While ratios and elemental composition may be used to determine the lithology of rocks, portable XRF analysis is better equipped. This is because it not only identifies rock types by determining elemental composition but it also notes the minute changes in reservoir rocks’ geochemistry. XRF analysis also observes the moderate transition of a rock from one type to another.
Locating valuable minerals
Companies like Kingman Minerals (TSX.V: KGS) are interested in finding valuable minerals such as gold, platinum, palladium and silver. Each of these metals has an ISO currency code of 4217. Gold and silver are used in coinage while platinum is used in jewelry as well as in car exhaust systems in the three-way catalytic converters together with palladium. These metals are directly detected using XRF analyzers.
In instances where these minerals exist but in low quantities, pathfinder elements are identified using XRF analyzers then used to locate valuable mineral deposits. Pathfinder elements are used to locate these minerals because they exist in higher quantities than the intended elements as they were either deposited there at similar times, at a similar place or they stem from the same source.
Useful in upstream oil and gas production
XRF analyzers provide fast and efficient means for geologists to find where oil and gas deposits are and assess their potential, all without having to drill into the earth. This makes using XRF analyzers both time and money saving.
XRF analysis enhances gas exploration and upstream oil and production, that is, helping identify and locate raw materials. This is done by supplying swift sample analysis of outcrops, oil and gas cores, drill cuttings and piston-core sediments. The results are used to identify formations and mineral compositions of rocks, and ascertaining if they have properties conducive to gas and oil production.
XRF analyzers are more effective and reliable in the field
Portable XRF analyzers produce high quality results similar to laboratory results within minutes, with or without sample preparation. This saves time as compared to laboratory generated results that would take days or even weeks.
From the above, it is clear that portable XRF analyzers have many uses and have applications in various industries. They can also be used and operated easily given minimal training, making it easier for anyone, even those without formal training to operate one. They are pre-calibrated and display elements of a sample in exact percentages, which makes it easier for computation. They are also a handy and light gadget to have if you’re going to be handling any offsite research that requires exact values.
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