The use of radioisotope-excited X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for on-stream analysis of major elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, Fe) in the flotation pulp of non-ferrous ores

On-stream radioisotope-excited x-ray fluorescence analytical systems were developed and applied to the analysis of major elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, Fe) in the flotation pulp of non-ferrous ores. The analytical systems consist of a sampling cell, a 4mCi 241Am excitation source and a Si(Li) detector with an associated 1024 multichannel analyzer all of which are incorporated into an on-stream, closed-circuit slurry installation. Density corrections and matrix effects were considered. It was suggested that higher sensitivities could be obtained by the use of a 10-20mCi241 Am source and optimization of the geometrical efficiency