Systems And Methods For Analyzing Core Using X-Ray Fluorescence

Abstract

A core analysis system having a trailer and an analysis assembly secured to the trailer. The analysis assembly includes an X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) detection subassembly defining a sample analysis area. The analysis assembly further includes a conveyor subassembly configured to selectively deliver one of more core samples to the sample analysis area of the XRF detection subassembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 an analysis assembly, wherein the analysis assembly comprises:
 an X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) detection subassembly defining a sample analysis area, wherein the XRF detection subassembly comprises:
 an X-ray source configured to deliver radiation to a core or rock sample positioned within the sample analysis area; and 
 an XRF sensor configured to detect X-ray fluorescence in response to the radiation delivered to the core or rock sample by the X-ray source; 
 
   a sample movement pathway comprising a sample loading location where the core or rock sample is presented to the sample movement pathway, wherein the sample movement pathway defines a path for the core or rock sample to be advanced from the sample loading location to the sample analysis area;   an imaging assembly configured to acquire an image of the core or rock sample;   a user interface configured to display the image of the core or rock sample; and   at least one processor communicatively coupled to the XRF detection subassembly, wherein for each delivery of radiation to a core or rock sample positioned within the sample analysis area, the at least one processor is configured to receive at least one output from the XRF sensor, wherein the at least one output is indicative of the measured XRF of the core or rock sample positioned within the sample analysis area.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, when the user interface displays the image of the core or rock sample, the user interface is configured to provide visual indications on the displayed image of the core or rock sample that reflect areas of interest of the core or rock sample, wherein the at least one processor is configured to analyze the core or rock sample in accordance with the areas of interest of the core or rock sample, wherein the areas of interest comprise at least one area of the core or rock sample that is excluded from analysis by the at least one processor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the user interface is configured to receive inputs from a user that are indicative of the at least one area of the core or rock sample that is excluded from analysis. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the user interface is configured to allow the user to assign a portion of the image of the core or rock sample to a corresponding depth within a drill hole. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein, based upon the corresponding depth assigned to the portion of the image of the core or rock sample, the processor is configured to determine corresponding depths for other portions of the core or rock sample. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to exclude the at least one area of the core or rock sample during determination of corresponding depths for the other portions of the core or rock sample. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the areas of interest comprise at least one area of the core or rock sample that is included in analysis by the at least one processor. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the user interface is configured to allow the user to assign a portion of the image of the core or rock sample to a corresponding depth within a drill hole, and wherein, based upon the corresponding depth assigned to the portion of the image of the core or rock sample, the at least one processor is configured to assign corresponding depths to areas of the core or rock samples that are included in the analysis by the at least one processor. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the areas of interest comprise a void area within the core or rock sample that is excluded from analysis by the at least one processor. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the user interface comprises a touchscreen, a stylus, or a mouse that permits the user to select areas of interest on the displayed image. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a trailer, wherein the sample movement pathway is at least partially defined within the trailer, wherein the analysis assembly is positioned within the trailer, wherein the trailer comprises opposing first and second sides, each of the first and second sides comprising at least one panel, and wherein a first panel of the at least one panel of the first side of the trailer comprises a door that is configured to be selectively opened to permit access to the sample loading location. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a trailer, wherein the sample movement pathway is at least partially defined within the trailer, wherein the analysis assembly is positioned within the trailer, wherein the trailer comprises opposing first and second sides, each of the first and second sides comprising at least one panel, and wherein a first panel of the at least one panel of the first side of the trailer comprises a door that is configured to be selectively opened to permit access to the sample loading location. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analysis assembly further comprises a first wireless transmitter-receiver communicatively coupled to the processor. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a database, wherein the database is selectively remotely accessible; and   a second wireless transmitter-receiver communicatively coupled to the database, wherein the second wireless transmitter-receiver is configured to receive information from the first wireless transmitter-receiver and to transmit information from the database to the first wireless transmitter-receiver.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the XRF detection subassembly is configured to sequentially detect X-ray fluorescence in respective sections of the core or rock sample. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the core or rock sample comprises a plurality of sample portions arranged within a plurality of rows, and wherein the XRF detection subassembly is configured to continuously detect X-ray fluorescence of sample portions within a respective row of the plurality of rows. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing that is configured to receive at least a portion of the X-ray source and at least a portion of the XRF sensor, wherein the housing defines an aperture that is configured to allow therethrough (a) X-rays from the X ray source and (b) reflected X-rays from the core or rock sample. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the XRF sensor comprises a silicon drift detector. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 acquiring, by an imaging assembly, an image of a core or rock sample;   displaying, by a user interface, the image of the core or rock sample;   receiving the core or rock sample within a sample analysis area of an analysis assembly, the analysis assembly comprising:
 an X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) detection subassembly defining a sample analysis area, wherein the XRF detection subassembly comprises:
 an X-ray source; and 
 an XRF sensor; and 
 
 at least one processor communicatively coupled to the XRF detection subassembly; 
   activating the X-ray source while the core or rock sample is positioned in the sample analysis area, thereby delivering radiation to the core or rock sample;   detecting, by the XRF sensor, X-ray fluorescence in response to the radiation delivered to the core or rock sample by the X-ray source; and   receiving, by the at least one processor, for each delivery of radiation to the core or rock sample positioned within the sample analysis area, at least one output from the XRF sensor, wherein the at least one output is indicative of the measured XRF of the core or rock sample positioned within the sample analysis area.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 displaying, by the user interface, visual indications on the displayed image of the core or rock sample that reflect areas of interest of the core or rock sample; and   analyzing, by the at least one processor, the core or rock sample in accordance with areas of interest of the core or rock sample,   wherein the areas of interest comprise at least one area of the core or rock sample that is excluded from analysis by the at least one processor.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the analysis assembly is positioned within a trailer, wherein the trailer comprises opposing first and second sides, each of the first and second sides comprising at least one panel, and wherein a first panel of the at least one panel of the first side of the trailer comprises a door, wherein the method further comprises:
 opening the door; and   inserting, through the door, the core or rock sample into the trailer.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the analysis assembly is positioned within a trailer, wherein the trailer comprises opposing first and second sides, each of the first and second sides comprising at least one panel, and wherein a first panel of the at least one panel of the first side of the trailer comprises a door, wherein the method further comprises:
 opening the door; and   inserting, through the door, the core or rock sample into the trailer.