When it comes to purchasing new analytical instruments in a steel plant, the lowest purchase price often hides the true operational costs. In slag analysis, the total cost of ownership is not defined by equipment price alone — labor time, maintenance, automation, and sample throughput can have a much larger financial impact over time.
Disclaimer: Every steel plant is unique. Factors such as plant layout, analytical needs of the meltshop, range of analytical methods, internal engineering, purchasing strategy, or direct imports can strongly influence cost structures. The figures below are therefore guidelines only. For individual consultation, please contact us or your local QuantoLux partner.
Depending on analytical requirements, there are several RFA and OES options available:
XRF handheld analyzers: €30,000–60,000
XRF benchtop instruments: €50,000–100,000
Full-scale laboratory XRF systems: €100,000–200,000
Sample preparation equipment (mandatory for XRF): crushers, mills, balances, mixers, presses: €20,000–100,
eSemi-automated mill and press units: €200,000–300,000
Automation and pneumatic tube systems: from €100,000
At-line OES slag analyzers: €180,000–250,000 + crusher (~€10,000)
The purchase price alone rarely reflects the true cost per sample. The following comparison highlights how analysis time and workflow design affect total costs:
Analyzer price: €120,000
Analysis time: 10–15 minutes per sample
Labor cost: >€10 per analysis (at €49/hour)
Significantly reduced manual work
Higher investment and maintenance expenses
Direct analysis on crushed slag
Minimal sample preparation
Up to 90 % reduction in labor cost
Can be performed as an additional task by control room or furnace operators
Conclusion: Even at moderate throughput (30 samples/day), clear cost differences emerge. With higher sample volumes, analysis time becomes the dominant cost factor.
Request the full .xls: alexander.schlemminger@quantolux.de
As mentioned in the disclaimer, each steel plant is unique.
To allow users to perform their own cost calculations, we’ve created a simple and flexible Excel calculator.
Purpose: To reveal the true costs of slag analysis based on your individual parameters.
The table is easy to use and can be extended or customized.
Adjustable input parameters include:
Number of samples per day
Hourly labor rate
Instrument cost and lifetime
Concumables
Request the full .xls: alexander.schlemminger@quantolux.de
With this tool, you can immediately see how investment, maintenance, and labor contribute to your total annual costs — and where optimization potential lies.
Shorter analysis and preparation times can significantly reduce total analysis cost
RFA solutions remain ideal for certain applications, particularly where analytical diversity or established lab workflows are required
Cost comparisons without evaluating analysis time overlook key operational factors
Considering labor effort, maintenance, and depreciation is essential for a realistic cost model
Our tip: Don’t just look at the purchase price — evaluate the total cost of ownership. By including labor, maintenance, and utilization, you gain a clear picture of the real economic impact of your slag analysis solution.