Optimization of operational scenarios of an EDXRF facility for the determination of major and trace elements in environmental samples

Aim of this work is the optimization in terms of accuracy and Lower Limit of Detection (LLD), of the operational scenarios of an Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) facility, for the determination of major and trace elements in environmental samples, such as soil and ashes produced in coal-fired power plants. A detailed parametric study was designed and conducted, aiming to the determination of the optimum operational scenario - in terms of high voltage, current and filtering of the x-ray beam - for each detected element. The study resulted to 5 operational scenarios, each one being the best for the determination of a group of elements. A total of 22 major and trace elements were detected, namely: Ag, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sr, Ti, V, Zn.