Is there a way to test sand for Aluminum content without using chemicals?

Question

The company I work for currently sends out a small batch of reclaimed sand each day to test for aluminum content. We are looking for a way to test inhouse for any possible remaining aluminum particles but not using the current method which requires chemicals. Would a spectrophotometer work? Right now cost is not a problem as we just want any ideas possible. Thanks.

Answer 1

Are you looking for metallic Aluminum or chemically combined Aluminum in the sand?  The methods of analysis are very different for these.

Usually metallic Aluminum is first dissolved in a mineral acid like Nitric acid before the analysis is performed.  The solution can then be use for a colorimetric analysis using a spectrophotometer.  This method does require the use of chemicals.  It is also the most unreliable.

The solutions could also be used for atomic absorption analysis.  But this would require an appropriate instrument.

Chemically combined Aluminum is more difficult because some sand contains Aluminum oxide.

Several companies like Spectro offer on-site metal analyzers.  These are only for use on metallic specimens and use optical emission spectroscopy for the analysis.  I do not know if a similar method would work on your sand samples.

Answer 2

XRF, SEM EDS, or Plasma Emmission technology.

Answer 3

A MAGNET they may sell a good one on ebay.com but wrap the magent in paper first