Importance

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Abstract

The invention comprises an apparatus and process for determining the relative proportions by mass of two or more differing substances contained in a sample comprising a combination (e.g. a mixture) of the two or more differing substances. The apparatus comprises: (a) at least one X-ray radiation generator arranged to irradiate a said sample; (b) at least one X-ray radiation sensor comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a predetermined area and being arranged to detect the intensity of X-ray radiation received by it, the sensor being arranged to receive X-ray radiation from the generator and to measure the X-ray radiation intensity detected by each pixel; and (c) data processing means; whereby, in use, a said sample is positioned between the X-ray radiation generator and the sensor and is irradiated by the generator, each pixel of the sensor detects the intensity of X-ray radiation received by it, the sensor measures the X-ray radiation intensity detected by each pixel, and the data processing means calculates the relative proportions by mass of the two or more differing substances contained in a said sample, using X-ray radiation intensity data measured by the sensor. The invention also comprises a process of dividing a plurality of samples, each of which comprises a combination of two or more differing substances, into two or more groups of the samples, the process comprising: determining the masses of each differing substance in each individual sample; and placing each sample into a respective group of the samples according to the masses of each differing substance in that sample such that each group has an overall mass ratio of the two or more differing substances which at least approximates to a predetermined target mass ratio for that group.

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First Claim