Doing Field Analysis with a Blowpipe

Rather then give you a long winded Blog about blowpipe analysis instead we are giving you a URL to a textbook that is completely about using the blowpipe technique for field analysis.  Any serious prospector should become familiar with this low-cost method of mineral analysis since it can save them both time and money.

This is Chandler Hall at Lehigh University, Pennsylvania that used to be the chemical lab where blowpipe chemical analysis was conducted during the 19th century stressing its importance as a method of chemical analysis.

The blowpipe is traced back to the ancient Egyptians, and even though it has mainly fallen into disuse today it is still a powerful tool for mineral analysis in the hands of somebody who knows how to use one.

This is the URL, http://www.archive.org/stream/elementsofblowpi00getmrich/elementsofblowpi00getmrich_djvu.txt

Field Analysis while Prospecting for Gold

If you ever wanted instant analysis of a sample or ore while prospecting in a re,ote area the portable X-ray Fluorescence Meter is just what you want.  They are pretty pricey, but can be rented from various sources for around $500 per day.

These are a portable x-ray fluorescence meters in action by Niton analyzing copper wire in the field.

There are a number of companies manufacturing portable x-ray fluorescence meters used for identifying different elements in the field whether prospecting or any of a variety of other ways where specific analyses of any chemical element is required.  With one of these meters you can determine the composition of any mineral right in the field without having to take samples home that are later sent to a lab for analysis.

The meter also has many applications in the environmental field among them are identifying lead based paint and other contaminants in the field.  The device will identify all the heavy metals as well as other contaminants.  The EPA and other government bodies use the technology for protecting the public from dangerous substances because of its fast, nondestructive, fast and is capable of being hand-held. 

It is regularly used in the mining industry for field sampling in mineral exploration work in active mining to effectively trace ore shoots.  With this device it is possible to know what you are dealing with eliminating the need to send samples to an outside lab thereby saving time and costs.  

Another example of a hand-held portable x-ray fluorescence meter manufactured in China.

  

The best thing about these devices is they are all hand held about the size of an electric drill.  One of these units can be carried in a holster like a pistol, and in fact are pistol shaped.  The whole instrument ready to use only weighs around 11 pounds (5.5 kg).  They are capable of identifying up to 25 elements at a time that are displayed on a screen at the back of the device.  Not only does the device tell you what elements are present, but also indicates how abundant they are.