Abstract
<jats:p>The paper considers the possibility of using a flow X-ray fluorescence analyzer to determine the iron and sulfur content in iron ore raw materials. The purpose of this work is to improve the capabilities of the existing analytical control systems to enhance the accuracy, repeatability of measurements, as well as to increase the resistance of such systems to adverse external factors. The main method used in this work is the well-proven X-ray fluorescence analysis. The research included studies that helped to obtain the most optimal modes of X-ray tube operation for appropriate determination of elements, i.e. iron and sulfur, in the iron ore concentrates. One of the challenges in conducting the study was that the X-ray tube used as the source had molybdenum anode, which caused difficulties in determining the percentage of sulfur, because the fluorescent L-α lines of molybdenum are superimposed on the K-α lines of sulfur. The study helped to select filters to be utilized with an X-ray tube with the molybdenum anode. Al, V, Ti were used as the filter material, with titanium showing the best results. Analysis of the obtained calibration dependences showed a high degree of correlation between the number of the fluorescent photons and the concentration of elements, which made it possible to simultaneously determine the S and Fe elements with a relative error of 0.13 % and the absolute error of 0.98 % respectively using an X-ray tube with the molybdenum anode and a primary filter made of titanium. The results obtained in the work can be used at mining and processing operations to obtain reliable information on the content of elements in raw materials in real time and without preliminary sample preparation, which will allow a prompt reaction to changes in the percentage content of elements in raw materials and to gain a positive economic effect.</jats:p>