Inorganic Process Analytical Technology – X-ray Fluorescence Analysis

Our expertise

The reference material BAM-H010 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer is used in the implementation of European Union guidelines.

The working group ‘Inorganic Process Analytical Technology – X-ray Fluorescence Analysis’ focuses on providing chemical data for production control and quality assurance.

We determine the chemical composition of metals and a number of solids and fluids using X-ray fluorescence analysis, optical emission spectroscopy and neutron activation analysis. We investigate critical chemical parameters in materials flux – e.g. elemental composition − for the material recovery of raw materials from recycling material, for example plastics, glass and sewage sludge. The methods used in inorganic process analytical technology can often be applied in other areas if the general structure of the analytical process is maintained.

Our customers come from industry and research. We use BAM’s interdisciplinary orientation in order to achieve synergies for our customers. Our methodological expertise and our modern technical infrastructure make us an ideal partner especially for small and medium-size businesses.

It is our goal to use existing analytical methods for particular applications in process analysis and adapt them according to expectations and customer profiles. We want to enable companies to minimize safety risks in their chemical production processes and to optimize their processes and products.

Key areas

• We develop analytical methods for application in process analytical technology.
• We qualitatively and quantitatively analyse the elemental composition in solids and fluids (e.g. materials, raw, intermediate and final products).
• We test the homogeneity of materials.
• We perform materials analyses.
• We conduct material comparisons (testing for mixed-up components).
• We develop chemical methods for quality assurance.
• Standard sample preparations (e.g. solutions) are included in our scope. More elaborate sample preparation (e.g. wet digestion, fusion digestion, microwave digestion) are performed if required.
• Optical emission spectroscopy analyses are performed in our accredited laboratory, using specified quality management standards.

Matrices

• Metals (e.g. iron, copper, aluminium, nickel, lead, zinc), synthetics, petroleum products, oxides, salts, ceramics, wood, soils, water, sewage

Further activities

• We certify reference materials.
• We participate in national and international interlaboratory comparisons.
• We perform elemental analysis using optical plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES).
• Due to our co-operation with the synchrotron beam analysis working group we also offer spatially resolved elemental analysis and selected structural investigations

Methods, processes, testing facilities

• Overview
• X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) - stationary
• X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) - mobile
• Total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis (TXRF)
• Optical emission spectrometry − stationary and mobile
• Neutron activation analysis

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