Abstract
The analysis of mineralogical composition by quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD) is one of the standard research methods used in hydrocarbon exploration. In order to improve it and to obtain better results, the methodology of quantitative analysis used at Well Logging Department is being periodically (more or less) modified. After the introduction of the improvements, comparative analyses were performed on archival samples. Reflections from an unidentified phase which did not occur in the tested Rotliegend sandstone samples were noticed on X-ray diffractograms of archival samples. Reflections of a mineral called simonkolleite were identified in the X-ray diffraction database. Chemically it is a hydrated zinc chloride of the formula: Zn5Cl2(OH)8 × H2O. Analysis of the composition of samples in which simonkolleite crystallised, indicated that the mineral is being formed in the result of the slow reaction of zinc oxide with halite (NaCl) and water vapour. An attempt was made to determine the influence of the presence of this mineral on the results of the quantitative analysis of mineralogical composition. The above methodology was applied on a group of ten samples. The results of the quantitative analysis conducted for archival samples stored with added zincite standard containing simonkolleite and for new, freshly grinded (without artifact) samples were compared. The comparison of the obtained results showed a slight influence of this mineral on the quantitative composition of the remaining components. The difference between the results usually did not exceed the method error. At the same time a significant difference in the calculated content of the internal standard was noted – on average 1% less in archival than in new samples. This shows that the reaction occurring in the archival samples will affect the evaluation of the quality of the obtained quantitative analysis, at the same time excluding the possibility of determining the rock’s amorphous substance content with the internal standard method.
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