Applications of portable X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyzers

Portable XRD/XRF has completely revolutionized geochemical exploration, mine grade control, metallurgical and process analysis, on-site HAZMAT inspections and in-field counterfeit pharmaceutical determinations. The TERRA’s high quality data and speed of analysis delivers quantitative real-time compositional chemistry, right at the point of the sample location, where you need it most.

Mining & Ores

• Iron Ore – Quickly analyze iron rich ore with Xpowder’s Reference Intenstiy Ratios to automatically generate quantitative compositions of the samples even when certain phases are completely absent – quartz, hematite, goethite, magnetite & more
• Calcite in Coal – Quantify calcite (CaCO₃), a mineral identified as reducing the efficiency of the raw material fuel in a coal-fired plant, to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions
• Potash – Analyze potash for phase identification and semiquantitative analysis of identified minerals such as sylvite, halite, langbenite and leonite. For further refinement, Sietronics Siroquant is available
• Limestone & Cement – Easily perform quantitative analysis of common minerals associated with limestone – alpha-quartz, asbestos minerals, calcite, dolomite and more. In cases where the quarry contains various levels of dolomite, the TERRA quickly determines this mineral in the range of 0.50 to 9.0% with an error of only 0.02%.

Petrochemical

• Mudlogging – Perform mineral ID and quantification on shale cuttings in the field for rapid feedback at drilling sites – simplify “chasing the vein” of a given mineral strata
• Pipelines – TERRA Smart Sense allows optimum peak-to-background performance to identify and quantify corrosion materials on pipelines; simultaneous XRF measurements give rapid identification of elemental constituents
• Easily reanalyze mine tailings to determine mill performance or evaluate historical projects

Fast HAZMAT ID

• Rapidly ID dangerous hazardous materials on-site for local & global security
• Identify explosives, fusing materials & accelerants on location
• ID & quantify suspected hazardous materials: azide’s PETN, black powder’s KClO₃, KClO₄ & KNO₃, flash powder’s KClO₃ & cascandite

Pharmaceuticals

• Rapid ID of counterfeit pharmaceuticals
• Fast, non-destructive fingerprinting of drug formulations & precursors
• Test for presence and quantity of active and inactive, foreign or substitute ingredients
• Fast XRD screening ensures patient safety and safeguards legitimate pharmaceutical manufacturers’ branding