Analysis and characterization of water treatment plant sludges by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Abstract

Samples of sludge from various processes in an electroplating works were analysed for elemental content by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry prior to disposal by landfill. The samples were first examined in compressed powder pellet form using a semiquantitative package in order to establish the analytes present before being fused into glass beads and analysed on a wide range oxide calibration prepared specifically for these sludges. The quantitative analytical programme used a previously developed novel calibration method which was tested using a suite of certified reference materials. Sample preparation reproducibility and instrumental precision trials were also performed. The carbon and sulfur contents of the sludges were determined using an induction furnace combustion technique and an attempt was made to characterize the sludges by X-ray diffraction. The project shows that the XRF approach using a combination of semiquantitative and quantitative analysis provides a rapid, comprehensive and cost effective means of ensuring that the waste products are thoroughly characterized prior to disposal.