Thermo Fisher ICP Spectrometer

Thermo Fisher ICP SpectrometerMineral exploration and production rely on atomic spectroscopy instruments to draw location maps and determine target elements. During the exploration process, core samples are usually collected, ground to ensure uniformity, and then sent to the laboratory for analysis. The delay from sampling to analysis is a bottleneck. Using Cerawave ™ The MICAP-OES 1000 technology can be installed on exploration sites, significantly reducing operational decision-making time.

At present, the traditional laboratory techniques for analyzing metals in geological samples are atomic absorption spectroscopy and inductively coupled argon plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The former uses combustible gases and has a limited measurement range; The latter uses argon gas and usually requires a cooler for cooling. Both of these technologies are not conducive to remote mobile, local, or remote laboratory testing.

Thermo Fisher ICP SpectrometerRadom has developed a field instrument solution using a microwave indicator coupled atmospheric plasma optical emission spectrometer (MICAP-OES 1000) with a power of 1000 W. This innovative nitrogen based plasma atomic spectrometer replaces the traditional argon plasma generation technology. The MICAP-OES 1000 adopts efficient Cerawave technology, replacing the electric water-cooled coils in currently available ICP-OES instruments, without the need for water cooling.
The MICAP-OES 1000 can operate at 110V or 220V voltage and is powered by a regular socket. Industrial grade nitrogen (99.98%) is much cheaper than argon. Nitrogen can be produced locally using nitrogen generators, eliminating the need for continuous gas procurement. It eliminates the need for combustible gases in remote areas.

MICAP-1000 is the smallest optical emission spectrometer on the market, equipped with easy-to-use RIS (Radom Intuitive Software) application software. The powerful Cerawave technology combined with high-resolution sCMOS enables simultaneous measurement of elements in prepared samples. Capable of on-site screening of core samples to determine results more quickly. In addition, it can also collect more samples within a region, thereby drawing a comprehensive map of potential production.

The dissolved OREAS CRM was analyzed using MICAP-OES 1000, and its values were prepared in aqua regia. The aqua regia digestion method uses a 1:3 ratio of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid for partial digestion (1).

This application brief will describe standard/sample preparation, MICAP-OES 1000 instrument technology, hardware description, method parameters, and summary of results. The main measured element is gold in the aqua regia extract. Due to the simultaneous analysis capability of MICAP-OES 1000, the analysis scope can be extended to other elements in the certification reference materials.

Table 1 Sample Introduction Area (SIA)

The installation of the Sample Import Assembly (SIA) is very simple. Simply press the torch guide clamp handle together, guide the torch to the hole until the pin stops the torch movement, and then release the fixture. The plasma position is set for a long time, and there is no need to calibrate the plasma observation. Figure 1 shows the cutting torch base with positioning pins, the cutting torch bracket hole with bracket handle, and the cutting torch installed in place.

Simply clamp the components of the atomization chamber/atomizer onto the ball joint to complete the assembly of SIA. The pump tube has been installed and can be easily connected to SIA.

Preparation of test samples

This study purchased multiple CRMs from OREAS. These CRMs are specifically developed for the mining, exploration, and analysis industries (2). Table 2 lists the CRM IDS and its matrix description.

To prepare CRM samples, weigh approximately 2 grams of CRM onto a 50 milliliter scale on DigiTube (produced by SCP Science). Add 2 milliliters of nitric acid (HNO3), 6 milliliters of hydrochloric acid (HCl), and 20 milliliters of type II water to each weighed sample. Place disposable polymer surface dishes on each sample tube. Each preparation kit includes a digestion blank identical to the sample preparation.

Use DigiPREP Jr (50ml) to reflux the test solution at 95 ° C for 2 hours. After cooling the test sample to room temperature, dilute it with water to 50 milliliters and use 1.0 micron hydrophilic Teflon ® Membrane filtration.

Preparation of calibration standards

Prepare a working standard solution using a 50 mL DigiTube tube. The concentration range is 0.025 ppm to 20 ppm, and the diluent is 12% HCl/4% HNO3. The concentration and parameters of the calibration standard solution are summarized in Table 3. The MICAP-OES 1000 method parameters are summarized in Table 4.