Analysis of aerosols using total reflection X-ray spectrometry and industrial process monitoring using EDXRF (Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence)

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:6881070

Leland, D J

Total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) was used to determine sulfur, chlorine, potassium, and calcium in atmospheric aerosol samples. Aerosols collected in a size fractionation cascade impact collector were dissolved in water, and the solution was placed on a quartz X-ray reflector plate. Cobalt was used as the internal standard added to the solution after dissolution of the aerosol. Detection units as low as 325 pg for sulfur and between 38 and 387 {mu}g were used to prepare the specimens. Good agreement was obtained between sulfur calculated as sulfate obtained by TXRF and sulfate obtained by ion chromatographic determination. Energy dispersive XRF was evaluated for on-line analysis of liquid and powdered materials. A prototype EDXRF instrument was developed and evaluated for on-line analysis of liquids. The flow cell used in the prototype instruments incorporates a thin polyvinyl fluoride film in a Teflon body to provide a window for the detection of fluorescent radiation from the sample. Lead and bromine were determined in leaded gasoline. Lower limits of detection were established for several other elements in a hydrocarbon matrix. Particle size effects were evaluated for on-line analysis of powdered materials. Monominerallic size fractions of galena, pyrite, and quartz were examined and an empirical correction method was proposed for reduction of particle size effects in homogeneous materials. The empirical correction method was applied to potash samples for size fractions up to 250 {mu}m. The potassium intensities in potash were corrected to a small uniform particle size within 2.6% RSD.

• Research Organization: Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6881070
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400101* -- Activation
Nuclear Reaction
Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AEROSOLS
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
BROMINE
CALCIUM
CASCADE IMPACTORS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHLORINE
CHROMATOGRAPHY
COLLOIDS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS
FUELS
GALENA
GASOLINE
HALOGENS
ION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON SULFIDES
LEAD
LEAD COMPOUNDS
LEAD SULFIDES
LIQUID FUELS
MATERIALS
METALS
MINERALS
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
NONMETALS
ON-LINE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLE SIZE
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POTASSIUM
POWDERS
PYRITE
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
QUARTZ
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
SIZE
SOLS
SULFIDE MINERALS
SULFIDES
SULFUR
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TESTING
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
UNLEADED GASOLINE
X-RAY EMISSION ANALYSIS
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS