Online elemental analyzers based on LIBS (laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy) technology are developed and built by the company Lyncis.
LIBS online elemental analyzers are designed for real-time analysis of various minerals, ores, construction materials, quartz, coal and other industrial materials. The technology is applicable to solid materials, slurries and brines. The analysis is performed directly on the conveyor belt or slurry pipes without any sample collection and preparation. Acquisition of analysis results in real-time allows for immediate process adjustment, for example, removing portions of the material with high levels of impurities, adjusting the dosage of components or changing process parameters to keep the material within the product specification range. Unlike other technologies, LIBS technology does not generate ionizing radiation (X-ray, gamma, neutron, etc.) and therefore is the safest available method for full elemental on-line analysis.
LIBS is a type of atomic emission spectroscopy which uses a highly energetic laser pulse as the excitation source. The laser is focused to form a plasma of the material to be analyzed. Spectral analysis of the plasma emission created yields a fingerprint of the elemental composition of the sample.
Method of Analysis (LIBS)
- A laser beam is focused on the surface of the material to be analyzed
- The temperature at the focus point reaches 20,000-40,000°C. The material becomes plasma and emits light whose wavelength distribution is material dependent (fingerprint of the elemental composition of the sample)
- The emitted light is collected and dispersed according to its wavelength component (spectra)
- Sampled material is analyzed by comparing the sampled dispersed light to a given chemical element’s spectrum
- The laser’s typical operating frequency generates approximately 300-500 spectra, which enables a full analysis result every three to five minutes
Related Pages
Find out more about LIBS and its applications in the pages below: