Modern EDXRF in the Petroleum Industry

Energy-dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) is a common technique used throughout the petroleum industry for elemental analysis. In the XRF technique, source X-rays are directed into the sample, which can eject the innermost electron of an atom, leaving a hole.  As an electron in an outer shell transitions to fill the hole, it releases its extra energy as a new X-ray called a characteristic X-ray. The characteristic X-ray is then collected by a detection system.  Because the energy difference between any two electron shells is unique to the atom that produced the X-ray, the number of fluorescent X-rays detected can be related to the concentration of that atom in the sample. Signals from the detection system are then processed by electronics and displayed as a spectrum, showing intensity peaks that indicate the elements in the sample based on energy position. Software then relates intensity of a peak to elemental concentration via prior analyser calibration, usually using a set of assayed standards to develop the relationship.