Title of Invention

A DEVICE TO HOLD A SAMPLE PELLET OF OXIDE MATERIALS FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS IN XRF SPECTROMETER AND METHOD OF FORMING THE DEVICE THEREOF

Abstract This invention relates to device to hold sample pellet of oxide materials for chemical analysis in XRF spectometer and method of forming the device thereof wherein a plastic ring(6) of diameter 5cm was designed which was in between the size of the steel ring (2) used for pallet (1) making and diametetr of the cassette holder (3). The plastic ring is introduced into the cassette (3) followed by the pellet formed in a steel ring (2) and then subsequent locking (4). Due to the introduction of the plastic ring between the cassette and pellet, the position of the pellet is ensured in its position and thereby creating conditions for proper analysis by XRF spectrometer and thus safe guarding process control operation in any steel making process.
Full Text -2-FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a development of a device for holding pellets for chemical analysis in XRF spectrometer and method of forming the device thereof. More particularly the invention relates to a device to hold pellets of oxide materials such as slags, raw materials, fluxes etc for its chemical analysis in XRF (X-ray fluorescence Spectrometer), which is an essential requirement as process control activity in any steel making operations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the existing practice the materials stated above are received in the form of lumps which are ground to - 200 mesh powder form. Pellets formed from these powders by pressing the powders in a steel ring to form a pellet as sample for testing its chemical analysis in a XRF spectrometer.
The standard process of analysis in XRF spectrometer is done by preparing a sample pellet of slag or raw material, fluxes etc for steel making by pressing powders of those using a steel ring of diameter in a Herzog make pelletizing press.

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The pellet so formed with the ring is then inserted inside a cassette in a manner so that the surface of the pressed powder is located centrally on opening of the cassette on its reverse side. The cassette is then closed by a locking means of fitting relationship by sliding a top closure with the body of the cassette.
The closed cassette is then placed onto the sample chamber in the XRF spectrometer.
A gap of 0.8cm is maintained between the pellet and the edge of the cassette in the existing arrangement. But due to this gap the sample pellet gets frequently shifted from its central position thus creating hindrance for analysis when the sample pellet is bombarded by X - rays or gamma rays through studying spectroscopically secondary radiation characteristic of the elements present.
To ensure accurate test analysis of the sample pellet, it is essential that the pellet remains in the central position without any shifting during analysis through the spectrometer.

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This invention is aimed to provide a device and method to remove the above difficulties of prior art to keep the sample pellet in the central position for accurate chemical analysis.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
One of the objective of the invention is to provide within the device a plastic ring of 5 cm diameter to be placed between the steel ring used for the pellet making and the cassette holder, thus avoiding any gap of 0.8 cm between steel ring and cassette edge as was carried out in the prior art.
According to another objective of the invention there is provided a method of preparing a device by installing a plastic ring with an width approximate to the gap between the steel ring and cassette edge to maintain the said ring in register relationship with the steel ring of the pellet and the cassette holder to maintain the pellet at the central position of the opening of the cassette.

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Analysis by XRF spectrometer according to the proposed invention is carried on by firstly preparing a sample of pellet from the powder materials by compressing the powders using a steel ring of 4 cm diameter in a Herzog make palletizing press, forming a plastic ring of 5 cm diameter and having a width of the gap between the steel ring and the edge of the cassette and inserting the plastic ring into the cassette followed by the sample pellet held in the steel ring and subsequently locking the cassette.
The pellet through these forming steps is thus secured to be held in central position of the cassette opening at its reverse side and sample pellet is then analyzed for its chemical composition on placing the whole cassette in the sample chamber of XRF spectrometer by X ray radiation falling on the sample pellet through the opening of the cassette.
According to the invention there is provided a device to hold a sample pellet of oxide materials for chemical analysis in a XRF spectrometer comprising a sample pellet attached to a steel ring when formed on compression of powders of oxide materials by the said steel ring in a palletizing press and put up in a cassette so

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that the surface of the pressed powder is located centrally on the opening of the cassette, a plastic ring of 5 cm diameter and width amounting to the gap between the steel ring and the inside wall of the cassette being maintained in register relationship with its inside surface to the outside surface of steel ring and being supported by the inner wall of the cassette, a locking means to close the cassette on the opposite side of the opening of the cassette, the device on locking is thereafter placed in the sample chamber of the spectrometer for chemical analysis of the materials of the sample pellet.
According to the invention there is also provided a method of forming a device to hold a sample pellet of oxide materials for chemical analysis in XRF spectrometer comprising the steps of inserting a plastic ring of 5 cm diameter and width amounting to the gap between the steel ring holding the sample pellet formed on compression by the steel ring of 4 cm diameter in a palletizing press, placing the sample pellet held in the steel ring in register relationship of its outside surface to the inside surface of the plastic ring being supported by the extreme inner wall of cassette, the exposed surface of the pellet being maintained centrally on the opening of the cassette, closing the cassette at the opposite side of the opening of the cassette by a press fit sliding locking means and placing the device so formed with the pellet in the sample chamber of the spectrometer for chemical analysis of the oxide materials of the pellet.

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The invention will be better understood by the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 represents a pellet of oxide materials formed by pressing using a steel ring of 4 cm diameter in a Herzog make palletizing press according to prior art.
Figure 2 represents a cassette with a press fit sliding locking means and an opening on the reverse side of the cassette closure according to prior art.
Figure 3 represents the sample pellet held in a steel ring being placed in the cassette when the surface of the sample pellet is ocated centrally on the opening of the cassette on the reverse side of the closure side of the cassette according to the prior practice.
Figure 4 represents the cassette holder with a plastic ring and the sample pellet held in the steel ring according to the present invention.

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Figure 1 shows the sample pellet (1) of oxide materials such as slag, flux and raw materials for steel making formed on pressing by a steel ring (2) of 4 cm diameter and held in the said ring with sample pellet being formed in a Herzog make palletizing press (not shown).
Figure 2 shows a cassette (3) representing also as a cassette holder and cassette edge/wall. The said cassette has a press fit sliding lock means (4) to be closed by a closure (not shown) on the locking surface of the cassette. The cassette holder (3) shows an opening (5) on the reverse side of the closure side of the cassette.
Figure 3 shows the cassette (3) in which the sample pellet (1) formed on the steel ring (2) is placed in the cassette wherein the pellet surface is located centrally on the opening of the cassette on the reverse side of the cassette closure. In prior practice the gap between the pellet after placement in the steel ring and the edge/inner wall of the cassette was maintained at 0.8 cm. The said cassette being closed by a closure mating at the locking surface was put up in the sample chamber in the XRF spectrometer for chemical analysis as in the prior practice. The said cassette could not produce accurate analysis of the sample pellet material due to shiftment of the pellet from the central position of the opening (5) when placed in the spectrometer chamber.

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Figure 4 shows the device formed according to the present invention. A plastic ring (6) of 5 cm diameter and width of the gap between the steel ring holding the sample pellet and the inside wall of the cassette is inserted within the cassette followed by placement of the sample pellet (2) attached with the steel ring (2) of 4 cm diameter in such a manner that the inside surface of the plastic ring (6) and outside surface of the steel ring (2) keep a matching relationship between themselves and the outside surface of the plastic ring (6) is supported on the inner wall of the cassette. On closing the cassette by locking arrangement (4) the whole device cassette is placed in the sample chamber of the spectrometer for chemical analysis of the materials of the sample pellet.
The developed device for holding the sample pellet ensures accurate chemical analysis of oxide materials of the pellet maintained through any non shiftment of the sample when placed in the sample chamber of spectrometer and thus secure safe process control activity during any steel making process operations.
The proposed invention as narrated and illustrated herein above with an exemplary embodiment should not be read and construed in a restrictive manner as various modifications, adaptations and alterations are possible within the scope and limit of the invention as defined in the encompassed appended claims.

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WE CLAIM
1. A device to hold a sample pellet of oxide materials for chemical analysis in a XRF spectrometer comprising
- a sample pellet (1) attached to a steel ring (2) when formed on
compression of powders of oxide materials by the said steel ring in a
pelletizing press and put up in a cassette (3) so that the surface of the
pressed powder is located centrally on the opening of the cassette,
- a plastic ring (6) of 5 cm diameter and width amounting to the gap
between the steel ring (2) and the inside wall of the cassette (3) being
maintained in register relationship with its inside surface to the
outside surface of steel ring (2) and being supported by the inner wall
of the cassette (3),
- a locking means (4) to close the cassette on the opposite side of the
opening (5) of the cassette,
the device on locking is thereafter placed in the sample chamber of the spectrometer for chemical analysis of the materials of the sample pellet.

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2. A device to hold a sample as claimed in claim 1 wherein the oxide
materials for spectroscopic analysis are slags, fluxes and raw materials in
steel making.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plastic ring (6) being kept in
matching relationship with the steel ring (2) holding the sample pellet and
the extreme inner wall of the cassette (3), ensure the surface of the
pressed powder forming the pellet to be positioned at the central location
of the opening (5) of the cassette during analysis on closing the cassette.
4. A method of forming a device to hold a sample pellet of oxide materials
for chemical analysis in XRF spectrometer comprising the steps of
- inserting a plastic ring of 5 cm diameter and width amounting to the
gap between the steel ring holding the sample pellet formed on
compression by the steel ring of 4 cm diameter in a pelletizing press,
- placing the sample pellet held in the steel ring in register relationship
of its outside surface to the inside surface of the plastic ring being
supported by the extreme inner wall of cassette, the exposed surface
of the pellet being maintained centrally on the opening of the
cassette,

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- closing the cassette at the opposite side of the opening of the cassette
by a press fit sliding locking means and
- placing the device so formed with the pellet in the sample chamber of
the spectrometer for chemical analysis of the oxide materials of the
pellet.
5. A method of forming a device to hold a sample pellet as claimed in claim 5
wherein the oxide materials for analysis are slag, flux and ore materials
involved in steel making.
6. A method as claimed in claims 4 and 5 wherein the pellet is formed by
grounding as received lumps of the said materials to - 200 mesh powder,
pressing the powders into a pellet in a steel ring on compressing the
powders by the steel ring in a Herzog make pelletizing press.
7. A method of forming a device as claimed in claims 4 to 6 wherein the
device so formed through securing any non-shiftment of the sample pellet
during analysis provide accurate chemical analysis of oxide materials and
safeguard process control activity during any steel making process.

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8. A device to hold a sample pellet of oxide materials for chemical analysis in
a XRF spectrometer as herein described and illustrated.
9. A method of forming a device to hold a sample pellet of oxide materials
for chemical analysis in a XRF spectrometer as herein described.

Documents:

00374-kol-2007 correspondence-1.1.pdf

00374-kol-2007 correspondence-1.2.pdf

00374-kol-2007 form-1-1.1.pdf

00374-kol-2007 form-18.pdf

0374-kol-2007 abstract.pdf

0374-kol-2007 assignment.pdf

0374-kol-2007 claims.pdf

0374-kol-2007 correspondence others.pdf

0374-kol-2007 description(complete).pdf

0374-kol-2007 drawings.pdf

0374-kol-2007 form-1.pdf

0374-kol-2007 form-2.pdf

0374-kol-2007 form-3.pdf

374-KOL-2007-(10-07-2012)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

374-KOL-2007-(13-01-2012)-ABSTRACT.pdf

374-KOL-2007-(13-01-2012)-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

374-KOL-2007-(13-01-2012)-AMANDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION.pdf

374-KOL-2007-(13-01-2012)-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

374-KOL-2007-(13-01-2012)-DRAWINGS.pdf

374-KOL-2007-(13-01-2012)-EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECIEVED.pdf

374-KOL-2007-(13-01-2012)-FORM 1.pdf

374-KOL-2007-(13-01-2012)-FORM 2.pdf

374-KOL-2007-(13-01-2012)-OTHERS.pdf

374-KOL-2007-(16-04-2012)-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

374-KOL-2007-(16-04-2012)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

374-KOL-2007-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

374-KOL-2007-EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

374-KOL-2007-FORM 1.pdf

374-KOL-2007-FORM 18.pdf

374-KOL-2007-FORM 3.pdf

374-KOL-2007-GPA.pdf

374-KOL-2007-GRANTED-ABSTRACT.pdf

374-KOL-2007-GRANTED-CLAIMS.pdf

374-KOL-2007-GRANTED-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

374-KOL-2007-GRANTED-DRAWINGS.pdf

374-KOL-2007-GRANTED-FORM 1.pdf

374-KOL-2007-GRANTED-FORM 2.pdf

374-KOL-2007-GRANTED-LETTER PATENT.pdf

374-KOL-2007-GRANTED-SPECIFICATION.pdf

374-KOL-2007-OTHERS.pdf

374-KOL-2007-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

abstract-00374-kol-2007.jpg


Patent Number 253403
Indian Patent Application Number 374/KOL/2007
PG Journal Number 29/2012
Publication Date 20-Jul-2012
Grant Date 18-Jul-2012
Date of Filing 13-Mar-2007
Name of Patentee TATA STEEL LIMITED
Applicant Address RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND SCIENIFIC SERVICES DIVISION, JAMSHEDPUR-831 001
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 SINGH, D.K. SCIENTIFIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT, TATA STEEL LIMITED, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND SCIENIFIC SERVICES DIVISION, JAMSHEDPUR-831 001
2 SRINIVAS, P. SCIENTIFIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT, TATA STEEL LIMITED, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND SCIENIFIC SERVICES DIVISION, JAMSHEDPUR-831 001
PCT International Classification Number G01N23/22,B01L3/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA