The Tool for Chemical Characterization of Shale
Measure all the elements in a few seconds with little or no sample preparation using
Laser Ablation and LIBS.
of cores in seconds
Application Notes
Elemental Mapping of Marcellus Shale Core
Samples Using J200 LIBS Instrument
There are numerous shale formations world-wide that have oil and natural gas trapped within the tiny pore spaces of the shale and are considered the largest natural gas deposits. Although the production of hydrocarbons from these deposits has increased drastically over the last two decades, characterization of reservoir rock is still a vital component in identifying best practices, and making engineering and production decisions in the reservoirs. The knowledge of the mineralogy andgeochemistry of shale can predict potential drilling problems and can influence decisions about drilling locations.
Determination of Elemental Composition of Shale Rocks by Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
In this study laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is used for elemental characterization of outcrop samples from the Marcellus Shale. Powdered samples were pressed to form pellets and used for LIBS analysis. Partial least squares regression (PLS-R) and univariate calibration curves were used for quantification of analytes. The matrix effect is substantially reduced using the partial least squares calibration method. Predicted results with LIBS are compared to ICP-OES results for Si, Al, Ti, Mg, and Ca. As for C, its results are compared to those obtained by a carbon analyzer. Relative errors of the LIBS measurements are in the range of 1.7 to 12.6%. The limits of detection (LODs) obtained for Si, Al, Ti, Mg and Ca are 60.9, 33.0, 15.6, 4.2 and 0.03 ppm, respectively. An LOD of 0.4 wt.% was obtained for carbon. This study shows that the LIBS method can provide a rapid analysis of shale samples and can potentially benefit depleted gas shale carbon storage research.
TESTIMONIALS
Dr. Dustin L. Mcintyre
Dr. Dustin L. Mcintyre – NETL – National Energy Technology Laboratory
Dr. Macintyre obtained his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from West Virginia University. He is a member of NETL’s Reservoir Engineering team and uses laser technology to better characterize a number of rare earth element sources in situ without needing to bring samples back to the lab.
Email: Dustin.Mcintyre@NETL.DOE.GOV
Dr. Jinesh Jain
Dr. Jinesh Jain- NETL and AECOM (contractor for NETL)
Dr Jain is a researcher at the National Energy Technology Laboratory. He has been doing extensive research with LIBS in order to potentially utilize the technology as a sensor in a variety of application areas including Shale research.
Email: Jinesh.Jain@NETL.DOE.GOV
About our Company
At the Forefront of Elemental Chemical Analysis
Applied Spectra, Inc. is the leader in laser ablation-based elemental analysis. Our world-class scientific and engineering teams have developed a suite of analytical instruments to simplify the process of elemental analysis.
Let the Laser do the sampling.
Laser sampling delivers rapid, accurate and high precision results that are environmentally friendly – a compelling value proposition over acid dissolution methods which are time consuming and generate chemical waste products.
Transforming Laser Technology
Applied Spectra delivers products based on two analytical technologies: LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) and LA-ICP-MS ( Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry).
Corporate Background
Applied Spectra Inc. was founded in 2004 by Dr. Richard E. Russo at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. As a pioneer in R&D of laser ablation for chemical analysis, Dr Russo advanced LA-ICP-MS and LIBS for 32 plus years with 60+ million dollar funding support and more than 300 manuscripts. Based on in-depth knowledge of laser ablation and technology from his Berkeley research, Applied Spectra began its operation as the technology spin-off company to commercialize laser ablation instruments.
Today, Applied Spectra is the leading manufacturer of state-of-the art LIBS and LA instruments. Our company is proud to have the largest installed base ofcommercial benchtop LIBS instruments in the world. Applied Spectra developed the first commercially successful femtosecond LA instrument based on Ytterbium diode pumped technology. We developed the innovative and powerful Tandem LA-LIBS instrument to combine LIBS and LA-ICP-MS capabilities into one platform. Our customer base is global with instrument distribution in over 55 countries.