Description
SciAps X-550 Handheld XRF for Soil Contamination Screening
The SciAps X-550 handheld XRF analyzer is a high performance portable X ray fluorescence instrument designed for environmental soil contamination testing and field based elemental analysis. Built on the advanced SciAps X-Series platform, the X-550 delivers fast detection of heavy metals directly in the field, helping environmental professionals identify contaminated soil and guide remediation decisions.
Environmental consultants, site inspectors, and remediation contractors commonly use handheld XRF analyzers like the X-550 to screen soils for regulated metals before committing samples to laboratory analysis. The ability to obtain elemental results in seconds allows teams to map contamination, identify hotspots, and prioritize sampling locations during environmental investigations.
The X-550 is well suited for environmental site assessments, brownfield investigations, industrial site monitoring, and remediation planning, where immediate elemental data supports faster decision making during field work.
Most soil measurements are completed in seconds, allowing environmental teams to map contamination and identify hotspots in real time.
Want to compare other soil testing handheld XRF analyzers? Browse our complete collection of Soil Contamination Testing Handheld XRF Analyzers here.
Key Benefits for Soil Contamination Testing
- Fast non destructive elemental analysis of soil directly in the field
- Detection of common soil contaminants including lead Pb, arsenic As, cadmium Cd, chromium Cr, and related heavy metals
- Strong sensitivity for environmental metals commonly evaluated during RCRA related investigations
- Rapid field results that support site assessments and remediation planning
- Lightweight rugged handheld design for extended environmental field work
- Supports soil screening programs when used with appropriate QA QC procedures
- The X-550 produces ~3× higher intensity in the low-voltage beam than the X-505, which improves measurements of those elements.
Typical Applications
- Soil contamination screening
- Environmental site assessments and due diligence
- Brownfield and remediation projects
- Identification of heavy metal contamination in soils
- Field based decision support prior to confirmatory laboratory testing
- Industrial site monitoring and environmental compliance investigations
- Handheld XRF analyzers are widely used for environmental screening under EPA Method 6200 guidelines for in-field elemental analysis of soils.
Common Soil Contaminants Screened
Handheld XRF analyzers are commonly used to detect heavy metals associated with contaminated soils during environmental investigations.
Typical elements screened may include lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), antimony (Sb), and barium (Ba). Many of these elements are associated with RCRA metals and other regulated soil contaminants.
Actual detection capability depends on soil matrix, sample preparation, and measurement time.
Hardware & Technical Specifications
The SciAps X-550 is engineered for demanding environmental field conditions where reliable soil testing performance and rugged portability are required.
Hardware & Technical Specifications
The SciAps X-550 is engineered for demanding environmental field conditions where reliable soil testing performance and rugged portability are required.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight | ~2.98 lb (1.35 kg) with battery |
| X Ray Source | 5W X ray tube with Au or Rh Anode |
| Detector | High performance silicon drift detector |
| Analytical Range | Mg-U (see app for specific elements) |
| Beam Optimization | Multi position filter system |
| Display | High brightness color touchscreen |
| Connectivity | WiFi, Bluetooth, USB |
| Power | Rechargeable Li ion battery with hot swap capability |
| Thermal Management | Advanced heat dissipation for sustained field testing |
| Operating Temperature | Designed for field environments |
| Compliance | CE, RoHS |
Optional Analytical Modes (Available as Add Ons)
The SciAps X-550 platform can be configured with additional applications depending on how the analyzer will be used.
- Mining / Geochemistry App – Designed for elemental analysis of rocks, ores, and soils including pathfinder elements used in mineral exploration.
- Alloy App – Used for elemental analysis and alloy identification across ferrous and non ferrous metals.
- Precious Metals App – Enables non destructive analysis of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and related elements.
- RoHS / Regulatory Compliance App – Supports screening for restricted substances in products and materials including lead, cadmium, mercury, and chromium.
- HUD Approved Lead Paint - Used for Pb Paint analysis for commercial and residential paint analysis.
Optional Accessories
- Soil sample cups and XRF film for fine or bagged samples
- Interlocked desktop test stand for testing powders and prepared samples
- Spare batteries and charging accessories
- Replacement measurement windows
- Field backpacks and carrying cases
Accessory selection depends on sample type, testing environment, and project requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the SciAps X-550 be used for soil contamination testing?
Yes. The SciAps X-550 can be configured for environmental soil screening, allowing rapid field detection of heavy metals commonly associated with contaminated sites.
Can handheld XRF detect RCRA metals in soil?
Handheld XRF analyzers are commonly used to screen soils for several metals associated with RCRA related environmental investigations, including lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and other regulated elements.
Why use handheld XRF for soil testing?
Handheld XRF allows environmental professionals to obtain elemental data directly in the field, helping identify contamination and guide sampling decisions before laboratory analysis.
| Model | Positioning | X-Ray Tube | Detector | Key Strength for Soil Testing | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SciAps X-200 | Entry Level | Up to 50 kV | 20 mm² SDD | Fast screening of common soil contaminants | Basic environmental site screening |
| SciAps X-505 | Budget / Lightweight | Up to 50 kV | SDD | Strong balance of speed, portability, and cost | Environmental consultants and field surveys |
| SciAps X-550 | Mid Tier | 5 W tube up to 50 kV | Large area SDD | Improved sensitivity for regulated soil contaminants | Site investigations and remediation planning |
| SciAps X-555 | Premium | 5 W tube up to 55 kV | 50 mm² SDD | Best detection limits for difficult elements such as Cd, Ag, Sn, Sb, Ba | Advanced environmental investigations and geochemistry |
The X-550 sits between the lightweight X-505 and the premium X-555, offering improved sensitivity and faster analysis while remaining compact and portable.
Downloads
To Request a Quote
- Request a Quote Online
- Call us at 919-400-1216
- Email us at sales@alloygeek.com
This item is made to order and lead time is approximately 4 weeks.