The Jordan Valley Legacy of Innovation
Continues
Geological type applications like raw minerals and mineral
products like cement have long been the largest single
market for XRF instrumentation.
Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, K, Ca, and
Fe in Cement, Clinker, and Raw Meal
Cement is a blend of several minerals. It is critical
to control the elemental composition to control properties
like strength setting time, and color. EDXRF is used
to analyze the raw components, the raw meal, clinker,
and finally finished cement.
Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, and
Fe in Lime, Limestone, and Dolomite
Limestone is the major component of cement, and is converted
into lime. It is one of the most common minerals and
EDXRF is a popular method for analyzing it.
Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, and
Fe in Sand and Glass
Sand is also a component of cement, but is mainly used
in making glass. Low iron sand is particularly valuable
for glassmaking, so it is an important sub-application.
Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Ti, Fe in Kaolin
and other Clays
Clays are used in a variety of ceramic goods, bricks,
and other finished products. Monitoring Ti and Fe content
is important for color control, and low cost EDXRF devices
can perform this analysis, while high-end EDXRF instruments
can measure all the major elements.
Al, Si, Ti, and Fe in Bauxite
Bauxite is a mineral that is high in aluminum and is
the most important source of aluminum for metal production.
P, S, Ca, Fe in Phosphate
Rock and Fertilizer
Phosphate rock is the major source of phosphorus used
in fertilizer and phosphoric acid production. EDXRF is
commonly used to measure the rock, phos-acid solutions,
and fertilizer.
Na, Mg, Al, Si, and Fe in
Cement Wallboard
Cemented wallboards are stronger and more durable than
pressed wood wallboard. The cement components in the
board are analyzed by EDXRF instrument.
Ca, S in Gypsum
Both major and minor elements in gypsum can be measured
by EDXRF.
|