Systems, devices, and methods for x-ray fluorescence analysis of geological samples

An X-ray fluorescence (XRF) unit comprising:

• a body;
• and
• a head configured to be removably attached to the body, the head comprising:
• an X-ray emitter positioned to emit X-ray radiation onto a geological sample material;
• an X-ray fluorescence detector configured to detect X-ray fluorescence emitted from the geological sample material;
• and
• an output port through which helium may be emitted onto the geological sample material;
• wherein the head is configured such that X-ray radiation emitted from the X-ray emitter is incident directly on the geological sample material without being transmitted through any solid material between the X-ray emitter and the geological sample material.

A method of determining a location of recoverable hydrocarbons in a reservoir, the method comprising:

• placing a plurality of geological sample materials, obtained within the reservoir, into a plurality of concave chambers formed within a sample tray;
• measuring a salinity of the plurality of geological sample materials, the measuring the salinity of the plurality of geological sample materials comprising:
• positioning the sample tray with respect to an X-ray emitter such that a first geological sample material disposed in a first one of the plurality of concave chambers is irradiated by X-ray radiation emitted from the X-ray emitter;
• irradiating the first geological sample material with the X-ray radiation emitted from the X-ray emitter;
• detecting, with an X-ray fluorescence detector, X-ray fluorescence emitted from the first geological sample material;
• positioning the sample tray with respect to the X-ray emitter such that a second geological sample material disposed in a second one of the plurality of concave chambers is irradiated by X-ray radiation emitted from the X-ray emitter;
• irradiating the second geological sample material with the X-ray radiation emitted from the X-ray emitter;
• detecting, with the X-ray fluorescence detector, X-ray fluorescence emitted from the second geological sample material;
• outputting data of the X-ray fluorescence emitted by the first geological sample material and by the second geological sample material to a processor;
• and
• calculating, by the processor, a salinity of the first geological sample material and a salinity of the second geological sample material based on the data of the X-ray fluorescence output to the processor;
• and
• determining a location of recoverable hydrocarbons in the reservoir based on the salinity of the first geological sample material and the salinity of the second geological sample material.