Quantitative compositional analyses of calcareous rocks for lime industry using LIBS

Here, the potential of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in grading calcareousrocks for the lime industry was investigated. In particular, we developed a system equipped withnon-intensified detectors operating in scanning mode, defined a suitable data acquisition protocol,and implemented quantitative data processing using both partial least squares regression (PLS-R)and a multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network. Tests were carried out on 32 samples collected invarious limestone quarries, which were preliminarily analyzed using traditional laboratory X-rayfluorescence (XRF); then, they were divided into two groups for calibration and validation. Particularattention was dedicated to the development of LIBS methodology providing a reliable basis forprecise material grading. The congruence of the results achieved demonstrates the capability of thepresent approach to precisely quantify major and minor geochemical components of calcareous rocks,thus disclosing a concrete application perspective within the lime industry production chain.