Flow Raman–XRF Particle Analyzer
Molecular and elemental monitoring of solid particles and slurries directly in the synthesis stream — Raman spectroscopy plus X-ray fluorescence.
| Methods | Raman + XRF |
|---|---|
| Mode | main stream or bypass |
| Samples | solid particles, slurries, turbid reaction mixtures |
| Raman channel | laser, range and optics chosen by matrix fluorescence and particle size |
| XRF channel | source, detector and geometry chosen by element list and slurry density |
| Flow cell | replaceable or fixed; materials by chemical compatibility and abrasiveness |
| Software | trends, spectra, concentrations, alarms, CSV/XLSX export, control-system link |
| Format | lab, pilot or embedded |
In flow synthesis, crystallization and precipitation, the solid-phase composition can change within minutes, while lab results arrive after the batch is finished. A withdrawn sample does not represent the real slurry — particles settle, agglomerate or keep reacting — and one method is not enough: Raman distinguishes compounds and polymorphs but does not replace elemental analysis, while XRF measures elements but cannot tell apart compounds with the same elemental composition.
The analyzer is installed in the main or bypass line and combines two complementary channels. The Raman channel records the spectral fingerprint of particles and liquid and, via a calibration model, tracks chemical form, polymorph composition, conversion and the appearance of new phases. The XRF channel non-destructively measures the stream's elemental composition and the concentrations of target elements, impurities, catalyst or filler.
Data are synchronized with flow, temperature, pressure and reactor regime, revealing the onset of precipitation, a phase transition or a stoichiometry deviation; the software raises an alert or signals the control system to adjust the regime. Channel geometry, windows, layer thickness, abrasion protection and flushing are designed for particle size, solids concentration and viscosity, and a dead-zone-free path reduces the risk of settling.
The analyzer is supplied as a standalone module or as part of a LABADVANCE flow line with shared software and experiment log. Calibration models are built on the customer's samples, and technical parameters are fixed after analyzing the product and operating conditions.