Title: Operation of the InnovX Systems Alpha4400 Xray Fluorescence Analyzer
1Operation of the Innov-X Systems Alpha-4400 X-ray
Fluorescence Analyzer
2Purpose
- The purpose of this training course is to
acquaint operators with the policies and
procedures for safe operation of the Alpha-4400
XRF Analyzer
Completion of this training does not relieve
operators of the responsibility of reading and
following the more detailed guidance provided in
the Innov-X Systems User Manual.
3Policy
- Operators for the XRF analyzer must be designated
in writing - Operators must have radiation physical
examinations - Operators must be enrolled in the radiation
dosimetry program - Operators must initiate and or maintain a
Utilization Log for each instrument they operate - Operators must complete this training program
- EACH FDPMU capability must have a trained
Radiation Safety Officer
4Radiation Safety
5Radiation Safety
- The XRF analyzer produces radiation when
energized users must understand follow safe
work practices - Radiation exposure is negligible with proper use
6XRF Safe Work Practices
- Never point the instrument at anyone, whether
energized or de-energized - When performing an analysis, the analyzer should
always be in contact with the surface of the
material being analyzed and the material should
completely cover the aperture - Make sure that co-workers are at least 3 paces
away during an analysis
7Forbidden Testing Configurations
- Never test samples as shown in the photos below
- Dose to fingers and/or hand if misused as
pictured could be as high as 28,000 mrem/hour - Over-exposure could occur within 2 hours
8Safety Features
Radiation Warning Lights
Software Trigger Lock
Software Proximity Sensor
Radiation Labeling
Deadman Trigger
9Trigger Lock
- User must release software trigger lock before
testing - Once released, trigger lock remains disabled for
5 minutes - If a test is not conducted within 5 minutes, the
trigger lock will re-engage
10Deadman Trigger
- Trigger must be held for duration of test
- Releasing the trigger ends test
- This ensures that users intentionally start each
test - Prevents user from walking away and leaving
instrument on - If user picks up analyzer and inadvertently pulls
trigger, test will end as soon as trigger is
released
11Software Proximity Sensor
- Instrument will shut off after 1-2 seconds if
sample is not present - Analyzer checks count rate, if count rate is not
significantly above air rate, x-rays shut off
12Radiation Warning Lights
- Light on continuously indicates that there is
power to the X-ray tube - A Flashing light indicates that a test is in
progress and X-rays are being emitted - The display on the back of the instrument
provides a testing message to indicate that the
X-ray tube is energized, the analysis window is
open and X-rays are being emitted
13Radiation Exposure Standards
- 5 rem per year (whole body)
- 50 rem (extremity or individual organ)
- 0.5 rem during pregnancy
14Dose Rate at the Window
- Dose at the exit of sampling window is
approximately 28,000 mrem/hr
15Maximum Potential Dose for Operators
- lt0.1 mrem/hr
- X 12 hr/day
- 1.2 mrem/day
- X 80 days/year
- 96 mrem/year
- .096 rem/year, or
- lt 0.2 of allowable exposure/year
calculated at the trigger, assuming proper use,
and based on a conservative estimate of FDPMU
utilization during deployments and training
16XRF Operation
17XRF Operation
Initial Setup
- Fully charge the IPAQ and analyzer battery packs
- Insert a fully charged battery pack into the
units handle - Slip the IPAQ into the slot on top of the XRF
18XRF Operation
Initial Setup - continued
- Power on the analyzer
- Power on the IPAQ
- Initiate the Innov-X program
- Standardize the analyzer
- Standardization procedure discussed later in
this presentation.
Power switch
19XRF Operation
Initial Setup - continued
- Release the software trigger lock
- Test a certified analytical standard to verify
instrument performance? - The unit is now ready to perform analyses
? Testing of a certified analytical standard is
required upon daily start-up of the analyzer and
after every tenth sample analyzed during daily
operation.
20XRF OPERATION
Standardization
- Standardization is required
- each time the analyzer is initiated/restarted
- every 4 hours of continuous operation
- Any time there is a sudden, large change in
ambient temperature - The procedure is automated and must be competed
before analyses can be performed - Results of Standardization must be recorded in
the Utilization Log
21XRF OPERATION
Standardization Procedure
- Snap the Standardization Plate on the front of
the analyzer - Verify that it completely covers the analyzer
window - Tap the gray box in the center of the IPAQ screen
or select File?Standardize - When Standardization is complete, record the
analyzer resolution and then tap OK to
acknowledge
Analyzer resolution must be transcribed to the
Utilization Log
22(No Transcript)
23XRF OPERATION
- The Innov-X Software consists of three main
screens -
- Main Menu screen Used to select the analysis
mode, open the results screen, and change the
administrator password - Analysis Screen Used to change settings, edit
libraries, and perform tests - Results Screen Displays results from current
reading
24XRF OPERATION
Main Menu
- Use the Main Menu to
- Select the Analysis Mode
- Change the administrative Password
- View Results
25XRF OPERATION
The Analysis Screen
- The analysis screen runs continually during
normal operation. It shows - the mode that is currently active
- an information button that is used to enter
descriptive information for the test - the trigger lock
- a battery indicator.
26Software Trigger Lock
27XRF OPERATION
Setting Test Times
- Select Options?Set Testing Times
28XRF OPERATION
Setting Test Times - continued
- Set the minimum test time at 60 seconds
- Set maximum test time for 120 seconds
- If concentrations are detected close to military
exposure guidelines longer measurement times may
be required
These measurement times for both regular and
LEAP analysis will provide sufficient accuracy
and precision for most FDPMU applications.
29XRF OPERATION
LEAP Mode
- To activate LEAP
- select Options?LEAP Settings
- Select Sequential Testing
30XRF OPERATION
The Results Screen
- From this screen the user can
- View interim and final results of the current
test - View results of previous tests
- Export and delete data
- Follow-on testing can also be initiated by
depressing/holding the trigger
31(No Transcript)
32XRF OPERATION
Exporting Results
33XRF OPERATION
Exporting Results
34Soil Testing
35Overview of Field Usage
EPA 6200 Method
- Field Portable XRF is used in 3 ways
- In-situ soil testing
- Bagged soil sample testing
- Prepared sample testing
36Using Portable XRF
USEPA METHOD 6200
Overview of Field Usage
Accuracy
In-Situ
Bagged Samples
Prepared Samples
Testing Method
37Using Portable XRF
SOIL TESTING METHODS
In Situ Testing
- Remove plant growth and foreign objects so that
the analyzer probe can sit flush against bare
soil - Place the XRF directly onto the ground to do soil
testing -
- These types of tests are screening tests and
typically measure lower than prepared samples
38Using Portable XRF
SOIL TESTING METHODS
Testing Bagged Samples
- Collect a soil sample in a thin plastic bag (i.e.
a Baggie) then test directly through the
plastic bag - Except for a few elements, testing through a thin
plastic bag has little effect on the test result - Results for Cr, V and Ba will be lower by 20-30
39Using Portable XRF
SOIL TESTING METHODS
Testing Prepared Samples
- Prepared sample testing assures the operator of
the maximum possible accuracy -
- Prepared sample tests require a sample to be
collected, dried if necessary, sieved and ground
into a powder -
- The prepared sample is then placed into a baggie
or XRF cup for analysis
40Test Stand
- Allows for Hands-Free
- Operation of the instrument
- Ideal for running standards
- and other prepared samples
- in XRF cups