Catalytic converters contain precious metals: the catalysts incorporate a ceramic (or metallic) honeycomb structure whose surface layer contains platinum, palladium and rhodium. These metals classified in the platinum group (MGP / PGM) are highly researched, recycled and highly valued.
For recycling companies, identifying these metals with high added value quickly, reliably and without incurring significant costs is a growing economic challenge. “This market requires tools ensuring rapid and precise identification. Quantum-RX, with its portable XRF analyzer “SciAps X-50” allows efficient analyzes of these metals in just a few seconds. Thanks to this low-cost device, recycling is more profitable and simplifies the recovery of precious metals, ”says one within the company.
Sample comparison: X-50 versus laboratory

The capabilities of the Quantum-RX analyzer were evaluated on a series of actual samples, prepared and analyzed for 60 seconds. The material must be crushed, sieved and homogenized for precise and representative results. The study was carried out with 13 samples of catalytic converters, the X-50 analyzer being configured in a dedicated factory “catalyst” calibration. In comparison to laboratory results, the X-50 shows a correlation for all three elements greater than 0.99.
The X-50 can also analyze critical elements, indicative of the nature of the honeycomb structure (ceramic or metallic) and coating. The identification is thus more complete and precise. The device takes into account matrix effects which can cause a deviation in the measurement of precious metals.
In addition, according to Quantum RX, with its 50 kV excitation voltage, the device offers better analysis of other heavy elements in samples such as barium, cerium and lanthanum, which can play an important role in the effects. matrix of XRF analysis.
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