A new approach to fusions that allows better control and faster fusions with lower maintenance time and costs

1. REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR
FUSION PREPARATION
WITH EMPHASIS ON COST OF OWNERSHIP,
EASE OF USE AND RELIABILITY

2. TOP 3 Factors influencing the decision to use the
Fusion Sample Preparation Method for XRF analysis
Variability in the
sample matrices to
be analyzed
Complex
mineralogy of ore
body or processed
material
Process demand
for high precision
analytical data
1 2 3
2

3. 3 MOST important factors in obtaining reliable data from fusion
sample preparation methods for XRF
1
Quality of
Fusion
GOOD BEADS
2
Control of dilution
factors and
losses/gains
associated with
fusion
ACCURACY
3
Ability to
replicate the
fusion process
every time
PRECISION
3

4. 3 MOST important factors to the USER when choosing a fusion system
1
Ease of Use
2
Low Maintenance
3
Reliability
Can
anybody
use it?
How much work
is entailed in
keeping the
fusion process in
control?
4
How long can
it operate with
little or no
maintenance

5. 4 Important factors to Capital Expenditure / Lab Managers
Initial investment cost Operational Costs
Longevity of investment Return on Investment 5

6. Enter the NAVAS Automated Fusion System -
Easy as 1,2,3
Multiple Samples simultaneously ( 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 positions)
1)Internal weighing of critical weights
- LOI ( 950 C)
- Initial Sample weight
- Final Bead Weight
- Mass of Oxidant ( if used)
2) Auto Flux Dosing
3) Approximate additions of sample and oxidant - precise weighing to 0.0001g carried out on external
balance and internal balance automatically , no user intervention - weight data transferred directly to
spectrometer
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7. Meeting the Challenges of ...
Better Health and Safety protocols - reducing the amount of chemicals used and safely extracting the
fumes ( Br or I)
Better workflow - reduced operator intervention and time saving protocols like approximate weighing,
measurement of LOI during fusion cycle and automated releasing agent addition
Better control - intermediate process control checks and validations leads to better quality beads
Better reliability - superior materials used and limited exposure to corrosive elements with controlled
extraction
Better Return on Investment - gains in quality and efficiency in the process along with improvements in
the long term reliability and reduction in maintenance requirements all lead to a lower cost per bead made
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8. BETTER HEALTH AND SAFETY
Releasing agents added to fusions to aid in releasing the molten flux from the platinum ware surface
generally contain halides. The halides are highly electronegative and are therefore highly corrosive to
metallic parts, especially in the gaseous phase
When large quantities of releasing agent are used as in the case where the releasing agent is
incorporated in the flux , the amount of halide fumes produced can be significant.
The halides attack the sensitive lining of our respiratory tract, our eyes and our exposed mucous
membranes and induce allergic reactions in the body. Without efficient extraction and containment this
process poses an environmental working hazard
The NAVAS Fusion process reduces the amount of releasing agent used by 90%
The contained furnace allows for efficient extraction of the fumes via extractor fans that can be
safely eliminated into a trap or diluted in the external atmosphere after being expelled outside
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9. BETTER WORKFLOW
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GRINDING
TO 100#
LOI @
950C
ACCURATE
WEIGHING OF
SAMPLE ,
OXIDANT &
FLUX TO
0.0001g
FUSION
CASTING
COOLING
APPROXIMATE
DOSING OF
SAMPLE,
OXIDANT AND
FLUX
FUSION
and
LOI
PREP TIME
PREP TIME
DRYING
@110C
GRINDING
TO 100#
DRYING
@110C
FUSION AND LOI TIME
COOLING
TIME SAVING - 2hrs
CONVENTIONAL FUSION SYSTEMS
NAVAS FUSION SYSTEMS
FUSION TIME

10. BETTER CONTROL OVER THE FUSION PROCESS
Precise Temperature control by design - the circular oven design allows for uniform heat distribution
and accurate thermocouple control in the temperature control circuit. No variable hot spots
Accurate weighing to 0.0001g accomplished in situ in the fusion instrument for LOI and Final bead
weight values add two time saving steps and allow a level of control not attained in crucible - casting dish
transfers. The exact flux:sample ratio can be carefully calculated and corrected for losses associated wit
the fusion process
All weighing done to constant weight measurements so the completeness of reactions can be gauged
using the same principles as a TGA and thus the timing of the fusion process can be optimized
scientifically for streamlining throughput
The addition of the releasing agent, automatically, just prior to removal of the crucible to the cooling
rack allows smaller amounts of releasing agent to be used ( 1/10 of what is currently being used in
conventional fusions) with less generation of corrosive fumes and better control over the bead release
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11. BETTER RELIABILITY
Element oxidation from flux spillage - ELIMINATED
Tedious accurate weighing - ELIMINATED
Corrosion due to releasing agent evaporation - ELIMINATED
Corrosion due to acidic vapors during fusion process - ELIMINATED
LONG TERM RELIABILTY ESTABLISHED
4000 BEADS PRODUCED IN CONTINUOUS 24 hr OPERATION FOR ONE
WEEK with no visible wear to fusion instrument interior components or platinum
ware - 500 cycles for 8 beads per cycle
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✓
✓
✓
✓
✓

12. BETTER RETURN ON INVESTMENT
Gains in quality and efficiency in the process along with improvements in the long term reliability and
reduction in maintenance requirements all lead to a lower cost per bead made
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TIME SAVING - 2hrs
QUALITY
IMPROVEMENTS
MAINTENANCE
REDUCTION
IMPROVED LONG
TERM RELIABILITY
LOWER COST PER BEAD

13. WHY NAVAS FUSION SYSTEMS? 5 GREAT REASONS
1. STARTS WITH GREAT DESIGN -
CIRCULAR OVEN/PATENTED MIXING MECHANISM AND MOLDABLES
1. CONTINUES WITH THE OPTIMIZING OF THE USER INTERFACE AND PROCESS STEPS - ALL
WEIGHTS ARE RECORDED BY THE SOFTWARE
2. INTRODUCES A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTOMATION FOR LIMITED OPERATOR INTERVENTION
- AUTO FLUX DOSING TO DESIRED DILUTION, SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF LOI,
AUTO DOSING OF RELEASING AGENT AT END OF FUSION CYCLE
3. REMOVES THE ERRORS ASSOCIATED WITH CRITICAL STEPS IN GOOD FUSION DATA - NO
UNCERTAINTY IN THE DILUTION RATIOS
4. REDUCES MAINTENANCE - NO MOLDABLE CLEANING REQUIRED AFTER EVERY BATCH -
POLISHING ONLY NECESSARY AFTER 100 OR MORE RUNS
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14. WHAT YOU THE USER STAND TO GAIN
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1
Ease of Use
2
Low Maintenance
3
Reliability
Great reproducible quality data
consistently
LOWER COSTS PER BEAD
ALL THIS FOR

15. REVOLUTIONIZING FUSIONS WITH SMART ENGINEERING
NAVAS INSTRUMENTS - SIMPLY BETTER FUSIONS
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
XRF Sales and Consutling – laura@xrfsco.com
www.xrfsco.com/contact.html
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