Epsilon 4 Food & environment

Trust your product quality

Growing populations increase the need for a better handling of our earth’s resources. The Epsilon 4, an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer, is a powerful analytical tool to obtain useful elemental information to maximize crop growth and ensure product and environmental safety.

The latest advances in excitation and detection technologies in Epsilon 4 open possibilities for challenging applications that are traditionally performed by ICP and AAS. Switching from ICP to EDXRF significantly reduces the use of consumables, utilities and time.

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Overview

Epsilon 4 is used to control nutrients in animal feed to keep cattle healthy and minimize manure greenhouse gasses. Other applications include the monitoring of elemental composition of particle matter in ambient air (EPA IO3-3) or of nutrients and salt content in food products. Soil and fertilizer can be analyzed to optimize growth conditions and to ensure the absence of toxic elements according to ISO 18227, ISO 15309 and ASTM C1255.
Illustrated below are the significant added values achievable by Epsilon 4, which is just a single modest investment.

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Features

Optional EPA IO-3.3 factory calibration

For easy adoption and implementation of the XRF method, Malvern Panalytical offers a factory calibration compliant with EPA IO-3.3 regulations for their Epsilon 4 benchtops. The spectrometer will be set up for the analysis of 46 elements, ranging from Na up to U. There is no need to invest in and acquire expensive and fragile standards.

Optional EPA IO-3.3 factory calibration

The power of benchtop XRF

Combining the latest excitation and detection technologies and smart design, the analytical performance of Epsilon 4 approaches that of more powerful and floor-standing spectrometers. Selective excitation and careful matching of the X-ray tube output to the capabilities of the detection system underlie the system’s outstanding performance.

The power of benchtop XRF

Low running costs

  • No need for expensive acids
  • No need for liquid nitrogen
  • No sample preparation, just place the sample directly into the spectrometer.
  • Expensive standards (like air filters) are not destroyed after the analysis and can be re-used as quality control or validation samples.
  • Low maintenance through high-quality X-ray tube and silicon drift detector
Low running costs

Accurate results

  • Powerful deconvolution algorithm in Epsilon software ensures accurate results even when element peaks are overlapping in the XRF spectrum.
  • Blank subtraction in Epsilon software provides flexibility and accuracy when analyzing air filters with different backing material.
  • Continuous rotation of the sample during measurement minimizes any errors caused by non-homogeneity and provides more accurate results.
Accurate results

Fast and sensitive

Fast measurements are achieved by using the latest silicon drift detector technology that produces significantly higher intensities.

Unique detector electronics enable a linear count rate capacity to over 1,500,000 cps (at 50% dead time) and a count rate independent resolution typically better than 135 eV for better separation of analytical lines in the spectrum. This allows the Epsilon 4 spectrometer to run at full power and therefore realizes a much higher sample throughput compared to traditional EDXRF benchtop instruments.

Fast and sensitive

Reduce helium consumption

The high performance of Epsilon 4 enables many applications to be operated in air atmosphere, without longer overhead time and costs involved for helium or maintenance of vacuum system. When measuring in air, low-energy X-ray photons characteristic of sodium, magnesium and aluminium, are sensitive to variations in air pressure and temperature. Built-in temperature and air-pressure sensors compensate for these environmental variations, ensuring excellent results whatever the weather.

Reduce helium consumption

Specification

Sample handling X-ray tube Detector Software
10-position removable sample changer Metal-ceramic side window for maximum stability High-resolution silicon drift detector (SDD), typically 135 eV @ Mn-Kα Elemental screening with Omnian standardless analysis solution
Spectrometer can accommodate samples (soils, liquids, solids and air filters) up to 52 mm in diameter 50 micrometers thin beryllium window for high sensitivity for light elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si) Max. count rate of 1,500,000 counts/s at 50% dead time PASS/FAIL analysis with FingerPrint solution
Spinner is included for more accurate results of liquids and solids Ag anode X-ray tube for best performance of P, S and Cl analysis Thin-entrance detector window for high sensitivity Audit trail software option for enhanced data security in compliance with FDA 21 Cfr part 11

Accessories

Standards (Reference materials)

Omnian

Omnian for standardless elemental analysis of a wide range of materials.
Omnian

CRMs

Claisse is always there to meet your needs!
CRMs

Software

Epsilon software

Epsilon software is the XRF analysis software platform that is used with PANalytical’s range of Epsilon 1 and Epsilon 4 benchtop EDXRF systems.

Epsilon software

Omnian

Omnian software enables users to achieve the best possible analysis when dedicated methods or certified standards do not exist.

Omnian

FingerPrint

A FingerPrint software module combined with an Epsilon EDXRF system is ideal for material testing when analysis speed is important but the actual composition is not of interest.

FingerPrint

Sample Preparation

Claisse M4

The standard in sample preparation by fusion.
Claisse M4

Support

Services

Solutions to maximize the return on your investment

To assure that your instrument remains in top condition and performs on the highest level, Malvern Panalytical offers a wide range of services. Our expertise and support services assure an optimal functioning of your instrument.

Support

Service for a lifetime

  • Phone and remote support
  • Preventive maintenance and checkups
  • Flexible Customer Care Agreements
  • Performance certificates
  • Hardware and software upgrades
  • Local and global support

Expertise

Adding value to your processes 

  • Sample preparation development/optimization
  • Analytical methodologies 
  • Turnkey solutions for XRD 
  • Operations via IQ/OQ/PQ, quality assurance (GLP, ISO17025) or round robins/inter laboratory studies
  • Automation of lab processes
  • Consultancy services

Training and education

  • Training on-site or at our competence centers
  • Broad range of basic and advanced courses on products, applications and software

Analytical services and calibration materials

  • Expert (XRF) analyses services
  • Oxides and trace analysis
  • Customized calibration materials

Key applications

Epsilon 4 spectrometers can handle a large variety of sample types weighing from a few milligrams to larger bulk samples.

Samples can be measured as:

  • Solids
  • Pressed powders
  • Loose powders
  • Liquids
  • Fused beads
  • Slurries
  • Granules
  • Filters
  • Films and coatings