Preliminary testing of a prototype portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Information circular

Technical Report · Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6520719

Patten, L L; Anderson, N B; Stevenson, J J

The Federal Bureau of Mines participated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Martin Marietta Aerospace in developing, building, and testing a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for use as an analyzer in mineral-resource investigative work. The prototype battery-powered spectrometer, measuring 11 by 12 by 5 inches and weighing only about 15 pounds, was designed specifically for field use. The spectrometer has two gas-proportional counters and two radioactive sources, (109)Cd and (55)Fe. Preliminary field and laboratory tests on rock specimens and rock pulps have demonstrated the capability of the spectrometer to detect 33 elements, to date. Characteristics of the system present some limitations, however, and further improvements are recommended.

• Research Organization: Bureau of Mines, Denver, CO (USA). Intermountain Field Operation Center
• OSTI ID: 6520719
• Report Number(s): PB-83-112557; TRN: 83-006215
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYZERS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
DESIGN
MINERALS
USES
TESTING
440103* - Radiation Instrumentation- Nuclear Spectroscopic Instrumentation