High resolution geochemical prospecting method and apparatus

Claim 3

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said air stream initially has substantially the same speed as the speed of the aircraft.

Claim 4

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein prior to said analysis, said particles are deposited on a tape which is moved at a sufficient rate such that separate analyses may subsequently be made of particles received during said 15 second periods.

Claim 5

A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said tape is non-porous and said particles are analyzed by successively applying a drop of a leaching solution to incremental portions of the tape, permitting said leaching solution to dissolve selected constituents of said particles, removing said drop of leaching solution and analyzing said drop, and repeating the aforesaid procedure for additional incremented portions of said tape.

Claim 6

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein after said particles are concentrated, they are transferred to a stream of an inert carrier gas prior to the analysis thereof.

Claim 7

A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein after said particles have been transferred to said stream of inert carrier gas, and prior to analysis, the particles are heated to a predetermined temperature that is sufficient to volatize selected elements or compounds contained in said particles.

Claim 8

Apparatus for performing from a moving vehicle a rapid geochemical survey of an area of the earth, comprising: a. means for receiving, at known locations in said area, an air stream containing atmospheric particulates which particulates may comprise matter that is indicative of the presence of a mineral deposit in said area, b. means for concentrating said particulates immediately after they have been received and while they are moving in a stream, and c. means for analyzing said concentrated particulates to determine if any of said matter is present therein and hence to determine the likelihood of the existence of said mineral deposit in said area.

Claim 9

Apparatus for performing from a moving vehicle a rapid geochemical survey of an area of the earth, comprising: a. means for receiving, at known locations in said area, an air stream containing atmospheric particulates which particulates may comprise matter that is indicative of the presence of a mineral deposit in said area, b. means for concentrating said particulates immediately after they have been received and while they are moving in a stream, and c. means for analyzing said concentrated particulates to determine if any of said matter is present therein and hence to determine the likelihood of the existence of said mineral deposit in said area.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the rate of flow of said air stream in said receiving means is at least about 10 cubic meters per minute.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said analyzing means includes means for transferring said particles to an inert carrier gas, means connected to said transfer means for heating said particles to volatize at least a portion of said matter after the particulates have been transferred to said inert carrier gas, and plasma means connected with said heating means for exciting said matter sufficiently to cause said matter to emit light of predetermined wavelengths.

Claim 12

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said analyzing means is operative successively to analyze particles collected during periods of not more than 15 seconds each.

Claim 13

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the rate of flow of said air stream in said receiving means is at least about 10 cubic meters per minute.

Claim 14

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 including means connected with said concentrating means for depositing said particles on a strip including means for moving said strip at a predetermined rate.

Claim 15

Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the rate of flow of said air stream in said receiving means is at least about 10 cubic meters per minute.

Claim 16

Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said analyzing means is operative successively to analyze particles collected during periods of not more than 15 seconds each.

Claim 17

Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the rate of flow of said air stream in said receiving means is at least about 10 cubic meters per minute.

Claim 18

Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the ratio of the volume of air entering said concentrating means to the volume of air leaving said concentrating means is about 200,000 to 1.

Claim 19

Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the ratio of the volume of the air entering said concentrating means to the volume of air leaving said concentrating means is at least about 100 to