Advanced Multi-Sample Bead Fusion System for Precise XRF Analysis with Integrated LOI/LOF Measurement

The system uses two high-precision digital balances, both with a sensitivity of 0.1 mg. Both balances are directly connected to the PC, allowing weights to be automatically recorded and managed by the software, ensuring seamless and accurate data capture throughout the process.

Located beneath the furnace, this balance measures crucible weights at high temperatures (Typically 1050°C) during the fusion process. The balance pedestal passes through a small orifice in the bottom of the furnace to ensure precise weight measurements in real time.

Used by operators for initial weighing of crucibles, samples, and flux. Crucibles can also be pre-weighed for convenience.

An auto-loader or sample handler with a 16-crucible capacity for seamless loading and unloading.

Software allows calibration of the LOI of the flux by fusing a bead made solely of flux, without sample, to determine its LOI. Optionally, the user can include an additional crucible containing only flux in each batch to calculate and correct the LOI of the flux for that specific batch, ensuring consistent accuracy across all samples.

Fully automated operation requires minimal operator involvement, ensuring efficiency and ease of use. The initial weights are automatically recorded by the computer from the external balance. The operator simply places the crucible on the balance and presses the Enter key to record its weight. Next, the sample is added to the crucible, and its weight is recorded in the same way, followed by the addition of flux, whose weight is similarly recorded.

For added convenience, crucibles can be pre-weighed, eliminating the need for weighing them during the process. Optionally all data, including weights, sample identification codes, and other relevant information, can be seamlessly imported from text or CSV files, further streamlining the workflow. Once the initial data is recorded, the process is entirely automated, making the system exceptionally user-friendly and efficient.

Configurable automatic bead cooling, activated after all beads are transferred to the auto-loader.

Competitor systems function as simple furnaces and do not incorporate any weight measurement capabilities.

In competitors' systems, the evaporation of flux LOI and the mass loss of non-wetting agent during fusion are unpredictable, depending on time and temperature. This requires calculations or predictions to adjust for weight changes, further increasing complexity and the chance for error.

Our solution: Both the internal and external balances in our system provide high-precision weight measurements. Unlike competitors' instruments, which require operators to weigh samples and flux with a strict tolerance of ±0.3 mg, our system allows a much broader tolerance of ±30 mg by eliminating the variables that impact accuracy and automatically determining flux LOI. This innovation eliminates the tedious and time-consuming weighing process, significantly reducing operator effort while maintaining exceptional accuracy.

Both balances—internal (beneath the furnace) and external (used for initial weights)—are directly connected to the computer, ensuring precise and reliable weight measurements throughout the entire process.

One instrument performs both bead fusion and LOI/LOF analysis, reducing equipment needs and freeing up laboratory space.

No additional thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) is required, unlike competitors' systems, which typically involve significant costs and analysis times exceeding two hours for LOI determination. This also reduces the laboratory space needed, optimizing operational efficiency.

No glass bead pouring is required, minimizing platinum-ware use and reducing costs.

No crucible cleaning is required after each batch, as the system eliminates the need for pouring molten material, preventing residue buildup and cross-contamination. This significantly reduces operator time and effort.

The fully automated system enables overnight, unattended operation, significantly increasing productivity and efficiency. When integrated with the optional collaborative robotic arm, the process is entirely hands-free. The system includes a conveyor with trays holding glass vials that contain pre-weighed samples and flux. The robot pours the contents of each vial into crucibles positioned on the auto-loader. Once filled, the crucibles are automatically transferred into the furnace, where the samples are fused.

After fusion, the crucibles are automatically returned to the auto-loader, and the robot automatically transfers the resulting beads into the XRF spectrometer for analysis. The spectrometer is triggered automatically to perform the analysis. Once completed, the robot retrieves the analyzed beads from the XRF spectrometer and discards them into a bin. This seamless automation streamlines the entire process, enabling consistent, high-throughput operation with minimal operator intervention.

Automated flux blank correction ensures consistent and accurate LOI/LOF measurements for every batch.

The same instrument can also function as a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) with an auto-loader, without requiring the fusion process. This capability allows it to determine moisture, volatile matter, and ash content, or to operate as a dedicated LOI analyzer, providing a flexible TGA solution for various analytical needs, such as coal analysis using quartz crucibles and other applications.

Aluminum oxide analysis results in competitors' electric furnaces are often compromised when using flux containing 0.5% lithium bromide, which significantly impacts the accuracy of aluminum oxide measurements in XRF analysis. In contrast, our instrument utilizes only a minimal amount of non-wetting agent, highly diluted in water, applied precisely at the very end of the fusion process. This innovative approach ensures exceptional accuracy in aluminum oxide analysis with our system.