Research, development, manufacture, and application of the fluorescent X-ray spectrometer in Vietnam

22/11/2010

The fluorescent X-ray spectrometer is widely used in the world to analyze ultimate compositions qualitatively and quantitatively independent from their chemical link. A notable advantage of this spectrometer is quick analysis that does not damage models which can exist in many different states such as solid, liquids or gas. At the end of 1989, Doctor Le Quang Huy and his colleagues at the Institute of Materials Science were successful in researching and manufacturing the first fluorescent X-ray spectrometer in Vietnam. Upon this, scientists have continued to research and upgrading products and promoting application in many provinces and cities in Vietnam with positive results achieved.

There are now two types of fluorescent X-ray spectrometers. One type is X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectrometer - EDS) which was researched and produced by Scientists at the Institute of Materials Science. Another type is X-ray Wavelength Dispersive Spectrometer (X-ray Wavelength Dispersive Spectrometer - WDS).

The principles of the EDS spectrometer include 3 main components:
- Model jack source: radioactive isotope or X-ray tube with low load.
- X-ray receiving part: semi-conductive detectors or rate counter normally
- Suitable electronics and software: recording and treating spectrum, calculating content.

Fluorescent X-ray spectrometer using radioactive isotope model jack

This spectrometer is simple in configuration, packaged and easy to operate because the radioactive isotope source is small in dimension (diameter ≤ 10mm). The spectrometer can be used for 50 years if it is well maintained.

Through research and development, Scientists at the Institute of Materials Science manufactured these two spectrometers which have been put into use in enterprises throughout the country. Additionally, installations began using detector Si (Li) cooled by liquid niter in 1989. Afterwards, installations began using X-ray receiving end cooled by a thermo battery at the end of 2006.

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Photo 1: Spectrometer system of new generation using X-ray receiving end cooled by thermo battery and model jack by radioactive isotope source, first model XRF2500-12N; Photo 2: Latest model XRF2500-12LC with upgraded and improved specifications and more convenient than the XRF2500-12N.

The dominant advantages of this type compared to a liquid nitrogen using installation, Scientists of the Institute of Materials Science have supplied 35 generations using X-ray receiving end cooled by a thermo battery over the last three years (approximately more than twice the numbers manufactured during the 15 previous years). There are about 50 installations assembled and operational in 15 provinces and cities currently.

Major applied fields are fabrication and jewelry made of gold, silver and platinum. Using an increasingly better analysis process, these installations get high accuracy 0,1 ÷ 0,5% for products made of domestic gold (include: Au and Ag), 0,3 ÷ 1,5% for those made of foreign gold, platinum (include: Au, Pt, Ag, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn và Pd), 1 ÷ 2% for products manufactured from silver and gold pool.

Fluorescent X-ray spectrometer using X-ray tube to model jack source

Advantages of a fluorescent X-ray spectrometer using a radioactive model jack isotope source are neat, easily-used and simple. The disadvantage is that the radiation source only emits monoenergetic photons, so the radiation source can only appropriate at analyzing certain elements. In order to overcome this disadvantage, the X-ray emission tube is replaced with these radiation sources.

Installation using X-ray emission tubes with low pressure as model jack resource and detectors Si (Li) cooled by liquid niter model EDS-XT99 has been researched, manufactured and put into operation since 2000. In 2010, installation with a similar configuration, model XRF5006-HQ02 using X-ray receiving end cooled by electricity was manufactured and put on trial. This is more convenient than previous installations of the EDS-XT99.

Fluorescent X-ray spectrometer system using -ray receiving end cooled by electricity and model jack source by X-ray emission tube, model XRF5006-HQ02

Installations using model jack source by X-ray emission tube can be applied to many fields such as: science research, environmental protection, archaeology, agriculture, colorful metals production, etc and especially enterprises doing business in exploring and processing minerals. Regarding the new installation XRF5006-HQ02, Scientists have analyzed model for minerals exploring for processing enterprises in Quang Ngai, Binh Thuan, Ha Giang, Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, etc. The concerned enterprises were highly appreciated.

Translated by Hoang Lien
Link to Vietnamese version

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