{"id":12038,"date":"2020-09-22T12:00:38","date_gmt":"2020-09-22T12:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/?p=12038"},"modified":"2026-02-09T19:20:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T19:20:28","slug":"how-does-an-online-bulk-elemental-analyzer-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/how-does-an-online-bulk-elemental-analyzer-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does an Online Bulk Elemental Analyzer Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/09\/istock-1137216407_conveyorquarry-1.jpg\" style=\"float: right;border: 0;margin: 10px\" alt=\"How Does an Online Bulk Elemental Analyzer Work?\" title=\"How Does an Online Bulk Elemental Analyzer Work?\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignright\" \/>If you are involved in any mining operation, you are aware of the large conveyor belts used to carry bulk materials.<span>&nbsp;<\/span>In the cement industry, it is not uncommon for these conveyor belts to have an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/order\/catalog\/product\/CBOMNIAGILE?icid=CAD_blog_mining_2020Sept\">online elemental analyzer<\/a><span>&nbsp;<\/span>installed on them.<span>&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>These <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/order\/catalog\/product\/CBOMNIAGILE?icid=CAD_blog_mining_2020Sept\">online elemental analyzers<\/a> are used to provide information to cement producers to make material blending and sorting decisions which optimize process control. These systems are designed to integrate onto a conveyor belt line and continuously measure the chemical composition of raw materials being carried by the conveyor line without touching the material. It analyzes the entire material stream in process and not a partial side stream or samples taken from the main stream. With real-time analysis, you can achieve consistent product quality, improved efficiency, minimized process upsets, increased throughput, reduced energy consumption and extended quarry or mine life.<\/p>\n<p>How do they work? <span>&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The analyzer assembly fits around the conveyor and provides the means to analyze the full flow of raw material. The equipment provides real-time online elemental analysis of an entire raw material process stream using either <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/us\/en\/home\/industrial\/cement-coal-minerals\/cement-coal-minerals-learning-center\/cement-analysis-production-information\/pgnaa-pftna-technology.html?icid=CAD_blog_mining_2020Sept\">Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) or Pulsed Fast Thermal Neutron Activation (PFTNA) technology<\/a>, and does the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span><span><span><\/span><\/span><\/span><strong>Irradiates the material with neutrons.<\/strong> The analyzer carries a neutron source; this may be a spontaneously fissioning isotope or an electronic neutron generator. Industry standard radioactive material for this purpose is Californium-252, which decays to its first half-life point in 2.646 years and is replenished at that time.<\/li>\n<li><span><span><span><\/span><\/span><\/span><strong>Exposes the material to be analyzed to the neutron bombardment and its resulting gamma rays to the detectors. <\/strong>The analyzer has a tunnel through which the material slides on a conveyor belt between the neutron sources (below the belt) and the gamma ray detectors (above the belt).<\/li>\n<li><span><span><span><\/span><\/span><\/span><strong>Detects the gamma ray emissions.<\/strong> The analyzer carries detectors which convert the captured gamma rays to measurable and countable electronic signals. The analyzer uses the signals to identify the gamma rays origins, which are the elements to be measured.<\/li>\n<li><span><span><span><\/span><\/span><\/span><strong>Processes the signals coming from the detectors.<\/strong> The analyzer has digital signal processing electronics and analysis software to calculate and display a variety of analysis and related process information useful to the plant operator.<\/li>\n<li><span><span><span><\/span><\/span><\/span><strong>Shields personnel from neutron and gamma radiation leakage.<\/strong> The analyzer carries several tons of radiation shielding materials to ensure radiation levels are well below those considered hazardous by government and industry authorities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Continuous online analysis and monitoring of material composition is key to optimizing process control.<span>&nbsp; <\/span>Through controlling the chemistry of the material, there is less usage of expensive materials, less process upsets and improved operational efficiencies. Click the link to view an animated video of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LbWu7meHc6s&amp;t=3s\">bulk material analyzer<\/a> in action.<\/p>\n<p><em>Additional Reading:<span>&nbsp; <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>To learn more about Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) or Pulsed Fast Thermal Neutron Activation (PFTNA) technology, download the ebook:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/us\/en\/home\/global\/forms\/industrial\/pgnaa-pftna-technology-ebook-registration-form.html?icid=CAD_blog_mining_2020Sept\"><em>A Guide to PGNAA and PFTNA Technology for Non-Scientists<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you are involved in any mining operation, you are aware of the large conveyor belts used to carry bulk materials.&nbsp;In the cement industry, it is not uncommon for these conveyor belts to have an&nbsp;online elemental analyzer&nbsp;installed on them.&nbsp; These online elemental analyzers are used to provide information to cement producers to make material blending<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":971,"featured_media":12040,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"division":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-12038","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-material-handling","8":"entry"},"_selected_authors":[1363],"_selected_reviewers":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- 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laboratory testing.\u00a0 While in situ geochemical analysis delivers immediate elemental data, the reliability of those results depends heavily on proper field methodology. 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Some have been around for quite awhile, but are still as relevant as ever. If you missed any of the latest articles, just click\u00a0here\u00a0to see the most recently published articles. You can even filter by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General\/Industry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General\/Industry","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/general-industry-mining\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Top 10, words, isolated on a dark blue background. Alphabet on stone blocks.Rating. Rating concept. 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Download this handy periodic table and X-ray energy reference guide to help in analyzing your mining samples. \u00a0It's our treat. Then visit our Mining and Minerals, Cement Production, and Coal Power pages for more goodies. Download Periodic Table.\u00a0 \u00a0","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Elemental\/Geochemical Analysis&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Elemental\/Geochemical Analysis","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/elemental-geochemical-analysis\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"halloween scene with plastic pumpkin and candy","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/No-Tricks-.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/No-Tricks-.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/No-Tricks-.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/No-Tricks-.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/No-Tricks-.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13977,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/what-is-in-situ-geochemical-analysis-and-why-it-is-critical-for-modern-field-operations\/","url_meta":{"origin":12038,"position":3},"title":"What Is In Situ Geochemical Analysis \u2014 And Why It Is Critical for Modern Field Operations","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"March 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"In situ geochemical analysis has become a cornerstone of modern mineral exploration, mining, and environmental fieldwork. As project timelines tighten and operational costs increase, organizations can no longer afford delays caused by traditional laboratory testing workflows. 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This enables mining operations to optimize extraction efficiency, maintain quality assurance, and meet stringent industry\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Elemental\/Geochemical Analysis&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Elemental\/Geochemical Analysis","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/elemental-geochemical-analysis\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"a rock showing signs of copper and gold.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/iStock-1309478061.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/iStock-1309478061.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/iStock-1309478061.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/iStock-1309478061.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/iStock-1309478061.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/iStock-1309478061.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2707,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/potash-a-look-at-the-worlds-most-popular-fertilizer\/","url_meta":{"origin":12038,"position":5},"title":"Potash: A Look at the World\u2019s Most Popular Fertilizer","author":"Ali Somarin","date":"April 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Potash Explained Potash is one of the most essential fertilizers in modern agriculture, supplying potassium\u2014an irreplaceable nutrient that supports plant growth, crop yield, and overall food production. 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