Operation of the InnovX Systems Alpha4400 Xray Fluorescence Analyzer

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Operation of the Innov-X Systems Alpha-4400 X-ray
Fluorescence Analyzer
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Purpose

• 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.
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Policy

• 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

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Radiation Safety
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Radiation Safety

• The XRF analyzer produces radiation when
  energized users must understand follow safe
  work practices
• Radiation exposure is negligible with proper use

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XRF 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

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Forbidden 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

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Safety Features
Radiation Warning Lights
Software Trigger Lock
Software Proximity Sensor
Radiation Labeling
Deadman Trigger
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Trigger 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

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Deadman 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

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Software 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

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Radiation 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

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Radiation Exposure Standards

• 5 rem per year (whole body)
• 50 rem (extremity or individual organ)
• 0.5 rem during pregnancy

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Dose Rate at the Window

• Dose at the exit of sampling window is
  approximately 28,000 mrem/hr

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Maximum 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
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XRF Operation
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XRF 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

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XRF 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
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XRF 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.
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XRF 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

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XRF 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
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XRF 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

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XRF OPERATION
Main Menu

• Use the Main Menu to
• Select the Analysis Mode
• Change the administrative Password
• View Results

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XRF 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.

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Software Trigger Lock
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XRF OPERATION
Setting Test Times

• Select Options?Set Testing Times

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XRF 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.
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XRF OPERATION
LEAP Mode

• To activate LEAP
• select Options?LEAP Settings
• Select Sequential Testing

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XRF 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

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XRF OPERATION
Exporting Results
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XRF OPERATION
Exporting Results
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Soil Testing
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Overview 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

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Using Portable XRF
USEPA METHOD 6200
Overview of Field Usage
Accuracy
In-Situ
Bagged Samples
Prepared Samples
Testing Method
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Using 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

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Using 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

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Using 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

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Test Stand

• Allows for Hands-Free
• Operation of the instrument
• Ideal for running standards
• and other prepared samples
• in XRF cups