BTX III Benchtop XRD Analyzer

The BTX III X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyzer provides fast, reliable quantitative mineralogy of major and minor components in a compact, benchtop design.

The BTX III analyzer features a unique small sample holder to provide a lightweight and virtually maintenance-free alternative to conventional XRD. This standalone instrument runs without the need for compressed gas, water cooling, a secondary chiller, or external transformer, keeping the cost of ownership low. Operators can directly connect the XRD instrument to any device using Ethernet or wireless capability.

Our XRD tools are powered by intuitive SwiftMin® software to streamline your workflow with a single dashboard, preset calibrations, easy data export, and automatic data transfer.

Description

BTX™ III Benchtop XRD Analyzer

The BTX III X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyzer provides fast, reliable quantitative mineralogy of major and minor components in a compact, benchtop design.

The BTX III analyzer features a unique small sample holder to provide a lightweight and virtually maintenance-free alternative to conventional XRD. This standalone instrument runs without the need for compressed gas, water cooling, a secondary chiller, or external transformer, keeping the cost of ownership low. Operators can directly connect the XRD instrument to any device using Ethernet or wireless capability.

Our XRD tools are powered by intuitive SwiftMin® software to streamline your workflow with a single dashboard, preset calibrations, easy data export, and automatic data transfer.

X-ray diffraction analyzer for mineral identification
XRD analysis for mineralogy and identifying rock type

Increased Speed and Sensitivity Power Swift Decisions

Powerful, intuitive software is paired with improved X-ray detectors for enhanced sensitivity, faster analysis times, and more reliable results.

  • Updated X-ray detector hardware runs faster and offers more intensity, leading to lower LODs.
  • SwiftMin® automated phase ID and quantitative software provides real-time data directly on the XRD analyzer, so you can make decisions quickly and with confidence.

Sample Prep Made Easy

Using conventional X-ray diffraction instruments, a large batch of sample must be finely ground and pressed into a pellet to ensure a sufficiently random orientation of the crystals.

In contrast, the small vibrating sample holder utilized in the BTX III convects all particles within the sample chamber, ensuring data is virtually free of orientation effects. As a result, the instrument requires a mere 15 mg of sample, easily obtained using the supplied sample kit.

X-ray crystallography

SwiftMin® automated phase ID and quantitative software provides real-time data directly on the XRD analyzer, so you can make decisions quickly and with confidence. Boost productivity and save time on repetitive tasks with intuitive software features, including:

  • One dashboard for data: see all recipes, calibration, and analysis information in a single view to speed up your workflow.
  • Preset calibrations: input preset calibrations in a new password-protected lab manager screen, enabling any operator to use the analyzer and quickly get reliable results.
  • Automatic data transfer: automatically send data to your network when the operator hits stop or after a preset amount of time.
  • Easy data export: easily export quantitative mineralogy results for visualization or further analysis, and access raw data files using a network folder to analyze diffractograms.

BTX III XRD System Specifications

XRD resolution 0.2 2Ø FWHM
XRD range 5–55° 2Ø
Detector type 1024 × 256 pixels; 2D Peltier-cooled CCD
Sample grain size <150 µm crushed minerals (100 mesh screen, 150 µm)
Sample quantity ~ 15 mg
X-ray target material Co or Cu (Co standard)
X-ray tube voltage 30 kV
X-ray tube power 10 W
Data storage 240 GB ruggedized internal hard drive
Wireless connectivity 802.11 b/g for remote control from web browser
Operating temperature -10 °C to 35 °C (14 °F to 95 °F)
Weight 12.5 kg (27.6 lb)
Size 30 cm x 17 cm x 47 cm (11.75 in. x 6.9 in. x 19.5 in.)
Power requirements Simple AC power (no cooling systems)
The BTX III operates off software embedded in the unit itself. The user accesses the operating system through a wireless connection (802.11 b/g). This unique method of operation allows for a wide degree of flexibility in controlling the instrument and subsequent data handling.

Mining & Ores

Iron-Rich Ores: Analyze iron-rich ore even when certain phases are completely absent.

  • Quartz
  • Hematite
  • Goethite
  • Magnetite

Potash: Analyze potash for phase identification and semiquantitative analysis of identified minerals, including:

  • Sylvite
  • Halite
  • Langbenite
  • Leonite

Limestone & Cement: Easily perform quantitative XRD analysis of common minerals associated with limestone. When the quarry contains various levels of dolomite, the analyzer quickly determines this mineral in the range of 0.5% to 9% with an error of only 0.02%.

  • Alpha-quartz
  • Asbestos minerals
  • Calcite
  • Dolomite
Calcite in Coal: Quantify calcite (CaCO3), a mineral identified as reducing the efficiency of the raw material fuel in a coal-fired plant, to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

XRD analysis for the study of rocks and coal slag samples

XRD analysis for well logging, horizontal drilling, and geosteering

Oil & Gas

Well Logging/Mud Logging: Perform mineral identification and quantification on shale cuttings in the field for rapid feedback at geosteering and horizontal drilling sites. Simplify “chasing the vein” of a given mineral strata.

  • Silicates
  • Carbonates
  • Clays
  • Pyrites

Pipelines: The energy sensitive detector enables optimum peak-to-background performance to identify and quantify corrosion materials on pipelines. Simultaneous XRF measurements give rapid identification of elemental constituents.

  • Wustite (FeO), hematite (Fe2O3), goethite (FeO(OH)), pyrite (FeS2)
  • Calcite (CaCO3), aragonite (CaCO3)

Mine Tailings: Easily reanalyze mine tailings to determine mill performance or evaluate historical projects.

Pharmaceutical

  • Rapid identification of counterfeit pharmaceuticals
  • Fast, nondestructive fingerprinting of drug formulations and precursors
  • Test for the presence and quantity of active and inactive foreign or substitute ingredients
  • Fast XRD analysis helps ensure patient safety and protects legitimate pharmaceutical manufacturers’ branding

Benefits of Olympus XRD Analyzers

  • X-ray diffraction analyzers for lithology and mineralogy
  • Easy Sample Preparation: Conventional XRD instruments typically require extensive sample collection and preparation, since a large batch of sample must be finely ground and pressed carefully into a pellet. If the sample is ground too finely or pressed with too much pressure, you could introduce sample preparation effects, such as preferred orientation. In contrast, our XRD analyzers require only 15 mg of sample, easily obtained with the supplied sample kit.
  • Simultaneous Measurement: Conventional XRD instruments take a few seconds to collect each 2-theta measurement, so scanning the entire 2-theta range can take as long as several hours. Olympus XRD analyzers use a charge-coupled device (CCD) detector to simultaneously collect the entire 2-theta range, so the complete diffraction pattern is visible almost immediately.
  • 2D X-Ray Diffractometer: Many XRD tools use an X-ray detector that captures the photons coming off the sample in only one plane, or a 1D experiment. Our CCD-based XRD instrument can collect a slice of the diffraction ring to help users understand if the sample was prepared correctly (particle statistics and/or preferred orientation of the crystals). Using this information, you can confirm the quantitative data is accurate and representative.
  • Transmission Geometry: Unlike larger conventional XRD instruments that use reflective geometry, our analyzers feature a transmission geometry where the X-ray beam passes through the sample. The amount of sample in the cell is fixed so that changes in density will not affect the resolution. This is particularly important in lower density materials, such as pharmaceutical samples, where the fixed penetration results in improved resolution when compared to a reflection-based instrument.
  • Energy Discrimination X-Ray Detector: Larger conventional XRD instruments typically cannot use an energy sensitive detector, so the detector is impacted by photons not used in the XRD experiment. In contrast, our XRD analyzer removes photons not directly involved in the X-ray diffraction experiment, such as X-ray fluorescence photons, to provide a better signal-to-noise pattern.
  • Cobalt and Copper Tube Options: Olympus XRD analyzers come standard with a rugged cobalt (Co) target X‐ray tube. This anode is the preferred choice of geologists and mineralogists, as it is excellent at analyzing samples with high iron (Fe) content. However, some applications (i.e. high manganese content), require a copper (Cu) target X‐ray tube. Olympus supplies either X-ray tube anode, depending on application needs.

How Olympus XRD Works

The Olympus XRD diffractometers use a unique method to rapidly and easily collect and process XRD data.

Olympus XRD Technology

  1. Microfocus X-Ray Tube
  2. X-Ray Beam
  3. Collimator
  4. Sample
  5. CCD Detector
XRD analysis for mineral identification

Our instruments use transmission geometry (represented in the image above), rather than reflection geometry used in conventional goniometer-based XRD models. With no moving parts, we achieve randomization using a unique vibrating sample holder. It generates a constant frequency that randomizes the powder, known as powder liquefaction.

The powder sits in between two windows of either Mylar or Kapton, as shown in the image below.

X-ray crystallography

Thanks to our convective technique, every grain of sample in the chamber passes through the X-ray beam in every possible orientation within 30 seconds. With this method, Olympus XRD tools achieve 100% randomization, a critical component of precise and accurate X-ray diffraction. Requiring a mere 15 mg of sample, Olympus XRD can simultaneously collect the entire practical 2-theta range. The lack of moving parts also makes our XRD products reliable and virtually maintenance free.