Abstract: An X-ray fluorescence measuring system and related measuring methods are disclosed, the system using X-ray energy at a level of less than 80 KeV may be directed toward a material, such as coal. The energy fluoresced may be detected (10) and used to measure the elemental composition of the material, including trace elements. The material may be moving or stationary.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the composition of coal and mineral ores on-line, by bombarding a sample stream with low energy X-rays and measuring the characteristic X-rays fluoresced. The assembly is comprised of one or more X-ray generators mounted in a specific geometry with one or more silicon detectors. A representative sample of a flow stream is obtained from a sampling system. Sample presentation to the analyzer is done with a plow or a flow cell to obtain a uniform interrogation zone for the analyzer. Elemental analysis (Aluminum through Silver on the Periodic Table) of the sample is computed from calibration curves generated from a linear relationship with count rates under each peak. Sample presentation to the analyzer is done with a plow or leveling plate to ensure that material flows past the analyzer at a constant level. The elemental analysis is determined by measuring counts under the characteristic peaks fluoresced by various elements in an energy spectrum resolved with a multi-channel analyzer.