Sensors & Electronics
Chemical Sensors
Detection of Metal Contamination in Oils (318)
Problem: Need on-line detection of metal contamination in oils to ensure proper lubrication of expensive machinery
Project Activity Scope (from Technical Overview Chart): Sensors and Devices through Instruments
PNNL Solution:
- Exploit knowledge that X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to detect trace amounts of heavy metals in liquids
- Industrial collaboration to develop practical, compact, field deployable XRF unit with oil flow interface
- PNNL XRF measurements of 22 elements in 5 lube oil standard reference materials were in good agreement with NBS standard values
Capabilities Employed to Meet Client Needs: Developed sensor unit concept based on a commercial X-ray source (cadmium-109) and detector (with thermo-electric cooler); designed sensor housing that minimized internal X-ray reflectance from the housing (to increase S/N for the trace metal detection) while also minimizing external X-rays; housing design included on-line fluid sampler; prototype sensor module fabrication, assembly, and testing, data analysis.
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Contact: Tim Peters
