material analysis of liquids (in this case biodiesel)

LiTrap doped with 500 mg biodiesel after the measurement by XRF in vacuum

LiTrap stands for a sample container that is able to absorb liquids (e.g. oils, acids, and watery lotions). It can later be used for the material analysis of liquids under vacuum with X-ray fluorescence. Dr. Rüttimann developed the patented LiTrap Method and its name derives from “liquid trap”.

In the sample preparation, the liquid sample material is applied on the LiTrap. Depending on the viscosity, the oily or watery samples soak into the sample container more or less quickly and can be measured under vacuum afterwards.

Fast – Reproducible – Cost-efficient – Sensitive

The idea is as easy as genius: a strongly absorbing material is used as a matrix and soaked with liquid sample material. The liquid to be analysed becomes so strongly bound that it will not volatilize in the vacuum. In comparison to the traditional method requiring an atmosphere of pure helium, the new method does not need cumbersome container walls or helium. Cumbersome parameters no longer effect the detection limits and they are lowered. Therefore, liquids can now be measured in favourable terms.
A further outstanding advantage of this method is particularly felt analyzing floating particles. Placing a contaminated sample on the sample carrier, the liquids will go into the carrier while the particles remain at the surface. This is in particular very helpful in the case of verifying the existence of metal debris in oil or dust particles in fuels.

Material analysis of Liquids in a Vacuum!

Do you have a liquid sample to be analysed and the required sensitivity can only be reached under vacuum conditions? Now you do not have to make any compromises!

LiTrap (Liquid Trap) is terrachem’s patented solution.

The advantages of the LiTrap Method :

  • no film in the X-ray path
  • vacuum measurement
  • Helium (e.g. for oil assay) is not needed
  • light elements are measurable (carbon, fluorine, natrium, nitrogen)
  • no sample leakage during measurement
  • inhomogeneity of samples can be specifically measured, e.g.:
    • particles in oil
    • emulsions – suspended matters and liquids