Nvy. Scarlett et al., On-line X-ray diffraction far quantitative phase analysis: Application in the Portland cement industry, POWDER DIFF, 16(2), 2001, pp. 71-80
The aim of this work was to design, construct, install, and commission an o
n-line, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyzer capable of continuously monitoring
phase abundances for use in process plant control. This has been achieved
through a joint project between CSIRO Minerals and Fuel & Combustion Techno
logy Pty. Ltd, with an instrument designed for use in a Portland cement man
ufacturing plant. Key factors in tailoring such an instrument to the cement
industry were (i) the handling and presentation of a dry sample and (ii) t
he development of an analytical method suitable for the complex suite of ph
ases contained within Portland cement. The instrument incorporates continuo
us flow of sample through the diffractometer using a purpose-built sample p
resentation stage. The XRD data are collected simultaneously using a wide r
ange (120 degrees 2 theta) position sensitive detector, thus enabling rapid
collection of the full diffraction pattern. The data are then analyzed usi
ng a Rietveld analysis method to obtain a quantitative estimate of each of
the phases present. The instrument is controlled by a PC linked to the diff
ractometer through a purpose built interface. The phase abundance informati
on is then transmitted to the central computer in the cement plant where it
can be used for the control of mill parameters such as temperature and ret
ention times as well as gypsum feed rate. (C) 2001 International Centre for
Diffraction Data.