ENERGY DISPERSION X-RAY (EDX) ANALYSIS IN THE NON-FERROUS MINING INDUSTRY

摘要

Energy dispersion X-ray spectrometry based on lithium drifted silicon [Si(Li)] detectors is approximately five years old. Though its first application in the mineral industries was reported in 1967, it is only now being accepted for its own unique capabilities and considered competitive with other analytical techniques.Energy dispersion X-ray equipment in combination with radioisotope sources was used successfully in the analysis of mining and milling samples for copper, iron, molybdenum, lead, zinc, and uranium. Sample types included solid materials, solutions, muds and slurries. A variety of modular combinations of sources, sample cells, Si(Li) detectors, amplifiers, single- and multi-channel analyzers, sealers, rate meters, printers and recorders was utilized to fit particular jobs. Test results and field applications have demonstrated the value of EDX instrumentation as an analytical tool. Its future wide use in the laboratory, the pilot plant and process plant is to be expected.Energy dispersion X-ray equipment has also been applied to the qualitative and semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis of minerals.