The TN 9000 X-ray fluorescence (XRF) Analyzer is a field portable unit that simultaneously analyzes elements ranging from sulfur to uranium. The TN Pb Analyzer was designed to analyze for lead in soil, paint and paint chips, and other matrices. It can also measure arsenic, chromium, iron, copper, manganese, and zinc in soils. Both instruments are compact, lightweight, and do not require liquid nitrogen. A rechargeable battery allows the XRF analyzers to be used at remote sites where electricity is unavailable.
The TN 9000 analyzer and the TN Pb Analyzer both use a high-resolution mercuric iodide detector to provide elemental resolution and low detection limits. The TN 9000 analyzer is equipped with the three radioisotope sources, iron-55, cadmium-109, and americium-241, which allow for identification and quantitation of 26 elements. The TN Pb Analyzer is equipped only with the cadmium-109 source, which allows for the quantitation and identification of the seven elements listed above.
The TN 9000 Analyzer and TN Pb Analyzer consist of two main components: a probe and an electronics unit. The probe is connected to the electronics unit by a flexible cable that allows analysis of soil samples in the in situ or intrusive modes. The probe contains the detector and excitation sources and weighs approximately 4 pounds. The electronics unit contains a 2,048- multichannel analyzer (MCA) for spectral analysis. A maximum of 300 sets of results and 120 spectra can be stored in the TN 9000 before downloading to a PC. A maximum of 600 sets of results and 100 spectra can be stored in the TN Lead Analyzer before downloading to a PC.
All elemental concentrations are displayed in parts per million on the LCD of the electronic console. The electronics unit weighs approximately 15 pounds and can be carried in the field in a water- repellent carrying case. The electronic unit is battery-powered and can run up to 8 hours on a full charge.
Both instruments incorporate user-friendly, menu-driven software to operate the instrument. The TN 9000 Analyzer and TN Pb Analyzer are calibrated using fundamental parameters, which is a standardless calibration technique. At the time of the SITE demonstration, the TN 9000 and TN Pb Analyzers cost $58,000 and $39,500, respectively. These costs included all equipment necessary to operate the instrument. Leasing and rental options are also available. The TN 9000 Analyzer, using all three excitation sources, is capable of analyzing 100 samples per day. The TN Pb Analyzer is capable of analyzing 300 samples per day using a 60-second count time for the cadmium-109 source.
The TN 9000 and Pb Analyzers can detect select elements in soil, sediment, filter, and wipe samples. The TN Pb Analyzer can also detect lead in paint. Both units can identify select elements at concentrations ranging from parts per million to percentage levels in soil samples obtained from mining and smelting sites, drum recycling facilities, and plating facilities. These instruments can provide real-time, on-site analytical results during field screening and remediation operations. XRF analysis is faster and more cost-effective compared to conventional laboratory analysis.
The TN 9000 and TN Pb Analyzers were demonstrated under the SITE Program in April 1995. The instruments were used to identify and quantify concentrations of metals in soils. A preliminary evaluation of the results yielded field-based method detection limits, accuracy, and precision data from the analysis of standard reference materials and performance evaluation samples.
Comparability of the XRF results to an EPA-approved reference laboratory method was also assessed. An EPA SW-846 method for XRF analysis of soils is scheduled to be published in 1996. A comprehensive evaluation of all results will be presented in a technical report from EPA in 1997.
TN 9000 X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer
EPA PROJECT MANAGER:
Stephen Billets
U.S. EPA
National Exposure Research Laboratory
Characterization Research Division
P.O. Box 93478
Las Vegas, NV 89193-3478
702-798-2232
Fax: 702-798-2261
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPER CONTACT:
Raj Natrajan
TN Spectrace
2555 North IH 35
P.O. Box 800
Round Rock, TX 78680-0800
512-388-9100
Fax: 512-388-9200