Background Sulfur creates more than nasty odors. Exposure to low levels (0-10ppm) of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) causes irritation of eyes, nose, and throat; higher levels can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, coughing, and breathing difficulty. H2S and numerous other odor-causing compounds are generated as a result of organic material decomposition. In the case of the Muddy River in ...
When Jack Kilby demonstrated the first working integrated circuit back in 1958 his main priority was miniaturization. The invention of the transistor in 1948 meant that computers no longer had to rely on large sized, thermally inefficient vacuum tube technology. The race to see just how small ICs could get had started. Since Jack’s day, semiconductor devices have become exponentially ...
Overview: These training notes provide a brief introduction to x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis of soils. XRF has been used to characterize a broad range of materials for over twenty years. Recent advances in digital electronics and semi-conductor technology has yielded very portable XRF analyzers for field analysis of many sample types including soils. These notes will cover the following ...
Application Reports of headaches, nosebleeds, central nervous system disorders, and other serious health effects have been reported from those exposed to compounds emitted from Chinese drywall (CDW). Additionally, surface corrosion of metal objects, including jewelry, decorative plumbing fixtures, HVAC coils, and electrical wires have resulted in cosmetic and mechanical damages. These damages can ...
Abstract: As the implementation deadlines approach, the electronics industry is focusing significant efforts on compliance with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive and the Waste Electrical and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) directive. The intent of the EU RoHS Directive (2002/95/EC) is to restrict the use of six substances (lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBBs and ...
Procedure: Air samples are collected by drawing workplace air, using personal sampling pumps, through 37-mm mixed cellulose ester (MCE) filters mounted in polystyrene cassettes. Samples are prepared for XRF analyses by transferring each filter, along with the support pad, to a special air filter sample holder, specifically designed for a Niton XRF analyzer. Three separate 60-second readings are ...
This surface sampling method was developed to provide a reliable, portable procedure that will provide prompt measurement of surface contamination levels of lead. Information gained from samples taken during an initial walk-through portion of an inspection may influence decisions regarding the next steps to take, making the inspection more productive. Immediate clearance of clean areas such ...
IE was retained by a United States Army subcontractor to perform a process determination with analytical verification for the treatment of the rinse water from decontaminated nerve gas agents. The Pentagon Munitions Deconstruction Committee (PMDC) fully reviewed and approved the process developed. The wastewater was generated from the rinsing of 2,000-pound (ton) containers in a punch/drain/rinse ...
Positive material identification (PMI) is a powerful methodology for assuring that manufacturing companies operate with greater profit, more efficiency, and the highest possible leveis of safety. The requirement for PMI of alloy materials in refinery systems and petrochemical plant operations has grown dramatically from the late 1970s when it was a rarity, to nearly 100% PMI in today’s risk-based ...
Under recent circumstances where attention to the environment is required in every field, there is an increasing need for analysis of hazardous substances included in products such as electrical and electronic equipment, and automobiles, as triggered by the enforcement of the RoHS Directive of the European Union (EU). As part of this trend, the X-ray fluorescence analyzer (XRF) plays an important ...
Abstract X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) has been routinely used for alloy testing, determination of Pb in paint, and determination of Cd in plastic. However, its use to screen for toxic elements in food and medicinal products has been surprisingly limited to date. While XRF is less sensitive than atomic spectrometry methods such as ICP-AES and ICP-MS, it offers a number of significant ...
Soil samples collected in housing areas with potential lead contamination generally are analyzed with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) or other laboratory methods. Previous work indicates that field-portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis is capable of detecting soil lead levels comparable to those detected by FAAS in samples sieved to less than 125 μm in a laboratory. A ...
Industrial Wastewater Treatment Success Stories Wastewater Treatment Metals Removal Ton Nerve Gas Agent Container Rinse Waters IE was retained by a United States Army subcontractor to perform a process determination with analytical verification for the treatment of the rinse water from decontaminated nerve gas agents. The Pentagon Munitions Deconstruction Committee (PMDC) fully reviewed ...
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sources of lead in the environment in children with elevated blood, with the help of a Field Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer. METHODS: One hundred and seven school children were chosen for this study on a random basis, from Mangalore and Karnataka. Their blood lead was analyzed. Of the cases analyzed, 10 students whose blood lead level was more ...
X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) is a technique widely used in elemental analysis. It is based on the principle that an atom's inner electrons, when bombarded with high energy radiation such as X-rays, are ejected. The atom relaxes by emitting photons of characteristic wavelengths, which are used to identify the element. If diagrams do not animate, try reloading your browser. How does XRF work? 1) A ...
Otto Junker GmbH design and make metallurgical furnace equipment and thermo-processing systems. They also operate a steel foundry, producing castings for specialist high-technology engineering applications, such as power generation, environmental engineering and marine environments. The company make castings from steel, stainless steel, nickel, cobalt and copper-based materials, and develop ...
Monitoring of inorganic environmental pollutants is an ongoing challenge for analytical chemists. To establish the quality of different compartments of our environment (atmosphere, indoor air, water basins, soil, biota) in general a relatively large number of samples must be taken from a given location over the entire duration of sampling.29,30,31 XRF is a rapid, non-destructive ...
Cement is a primary building material in the modern world; as a major constituent of buildings, concrete structures and roads the consistency of its composition during production is essential. A major method of quality control (QC) for cement production is XRF spectroscopy as it can provide fast and accurate analysis in cement manufacturing using in-line methods to ensure 24/7 results. XRF ...
We recently compared the effectiveness of loose powder against prepared pellets for the x-ray fluorescent spectroscopic analysis of cement. Some users choose to carry out XRF without pressing the sample into a pellet. Despite the extra time involved in sample pellet preparation, which involves the use of a hydraulic laboratory press, our results show the importance of preparing high quality XRF ...
Cement analysis using FP program (Fundamental Parameters) Cement is a blend of several minerals. It is critical to control the elemental composition and properties such as strength, setting, time and color. ED-XRF is being used to analyze the raw components, raw meal, clinker, and the final cement product (Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, K, Ca, and Fe in Cement, Clinker, and Raw Meal). XRF is at the ...