Thermo’s XRF and XRD Spectrometers Address Environmental Applications Needs

7 Aug 2006
Kerry Parker
CEO

Product news

Thermo Electron Corporation, world leader in analytical instrumentation announces that its innovative series of X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray powder Diffraction (XRD) spectrometers is ideally suited for a diverse range of environmental applications.

Designed for accurate and reliable analysis of drinking water, waste water, soils, sludge, air monitoring and spent materials such as paints, plastics and tires, these novel spectrometers are designed for use in manufacturing plants and contract laboratories as well as in the water, energy, waste disposal and recycling industries. Thermo has published several application notes to demonstrate the unique analytical capabilities of its XRF and XRD spectrometers including Thermo’s ARL QUANT’X, ARL X’TRA and ARL ADVANT’X which are all specifically suited to the environmental market. These application notes are available to download free-of-charge from the article webpage.

Thermo’s comprehensive suite of WDXRF (Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence), EDXRF (Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence) and XRD spectrometers employs fast multi-element techniques. Achieving precise and repeatable results covering all elements and respective ranges, they also provide detection limits in the ppm range. Additionally, the instruments are particularly easy to install and use while requiring very little or no sample preparation and offer flexible sample handling. The WDXRF and the EDXRF techniques, designed for use with Thermo’s ARL ADVANT’X and ARL QUANT’X, are ideally suited to the analysis of waste oils, plastics, paints and contaminated soils whereas the ARL X’TRA spectrometers used with XRD are mainly used for analyzing particulates in air such as asbestos and quartz. Both XRF and XRD techniques are capable of handling totally unknown samples thanks to the powerful “standard-less” analysis packages such as UniQuant® and SiroQuant®.

This series of spectrometers has also been designed to help scientists comply with strict European and US regulations, including the RoHS/WEEE directives. These RoHs/WEEE regulations have been introduced to reduce the damage to both the environment in terms of pollution as well as to human health from occupational exposure and exposure following disposal.

For more information about Thermo’s series of XRF and XRD spectrometers, please call +1 800-532-4752, click 'request more info'. Alternatively, please visit the article webpage where these application notes are available to download free-of-charge.

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Fluorescence SpectroscopyFluorometers and spectrofluorometers (also called fluorescence spectrometers) are used to measure the intensity and wavelength of fluorescent light emitted from a sample after excitation by illumination. Spectrofluorometers utilize monochromators to select the desired wavelengths, whereas filter fluorometers employ a set of filters. Spectrofluorometers for measuring steady-state fluorescence and lifetime fluorescence (or time-resolved fluorescence) are available, as well as fluorescence microscopes and microplate readers. Find the best fluorescence spectroscopy products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.X-Ray Diffraction and SpectroscopyX-Ray diffraction & spectroscopy are used in material characterization to discern the structure and elemental composition of a sample. X-Ray diffractometers (XRD) are superior instruments in elucidating the dimensional atomic structure of crystalline materials, including powders, thin films and single crystals. For large unit cells or ordered macromolecules, consider small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). X-ray spectroscopic techniques include X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), both providing simple and accurate methods for determining the elemental composition of a material. Energy dispersive (EDXRF) and wavelength dispersive (WDXRF) XRF spectrometers are available, as well as handheld/portable devices. High-resolution, 3D microstructure characterization of materials can be achieved with X-ray microscopes combining sub-micron resolution imaging with 3D computed tomography. Find the best XRD and XRF spectrometers in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Environmental Monitoring and TestingEnvironmental monitoring and testing uses handheld portable analyzers, kits, spectrometers or chromatography systems for air, water, soil, food and other sample testing. Useful features of analyzers such as BOD and COD include portability, easy calibration, automation and sensitivity.  Environmental test kits for pH, water, moisture, etc, should be accurate, sensitive, reliable, fast and easy to use.