X-ray work station for the cement industry

Thermo Fisher Scientific unveils the new ARL 9900 Series X-ray WorkStation, a unique, integrated XRF and full pattern XRD X-ray analyser for fast and accurate analysis in cement industry

The new WorkStation further expands on the unique capabilities of the Thermo Scientific ARL 9900 Total Cement analyser designed for cement process and quality control: the company has made yet another quantum leap in the area of X-ray analysis for the cement industry.

Following collaborations with cement and engineering companies worldwide and in response to industry requirements, Thermo Fisher has developed the Thermo Scientific ARL 9900 X-ray WorkStation.

For the first time full X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) are combined in one single instrument bringing increased productivity and reduced cost of ownership in the cement plant laboratory.

Over the past ten years, there has been a growing demand in the cement industry for a complete range of XRD instrumentation, with an increasing need for full phase identification, in addition to the usual elemental analysis.

The new ARL 9900 X-ray WorkStation provides the most comprehensive analytical capability for uncompromising chemical and full phase analysis from raw materials to the final product.

Elemental/oxide analysis can be accomplished by a series of XRF monochromators for high throughput, by an XRF Goniometer for flexibility or a combination of both.

Full pattern-based quantitative phase analysis can be achieved on the same sample by the XRD Goniometer under vacuum using Thermo Scientific OXSAS software for fully automated control.

The novel ARL 9900 X-ray WorkStation requires only one sample introduction for both XRF and XRD measurements.

In addition, the instrument provides seamless and integrated operation in cement plants for the routine analysis of free lime in clinkers, clinker phases right after the kiln process, specific quantification of quartz in clay minerals, periclase in clinkers, gypsum phases and other additives analyses in cement.

The instrument benefits from IntelliPower configurations operating at 1200W or 2500W, which results in no external water cooling required (even for XRD).

Ultimate performance and throughput can be achieved by using higher power levels at 3600W or 4200W.

As the two techniques (XRD and XRF) are inside a single instrument, it is significantly easier and more cost-effective when the instrument has to be integrated for on-line process control and routine analysis.

Automation capabilities range from simple link to automatic sample preparation machines with an interface from a central control system to the robot-based Thermo Scientific ARL SMS-3000 for a completely autonomous X-ray analysis laboratory.

The Thermo Scientific ARL 9900 Series X-ray WorkStation is designed to operate in industrial environments with quick and easy installation, operation and validation.

On-site customisation of various programmes is more conveniently achieved with effective control files and optimised sample preparation for both XRF and XRD.

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