Abstract: An experimental system to use quasi monochromatic X ray beam for measuring the fluorescence properties of powdered compounds is established on beam line 4W1B at the Beijing synchrotron radiation facility (BSRF). The relative light intensity and decay time of fluorescencc for 33 samples of inorganic compounds (or doped compounds) are measured. The results for samples of known scintillators demonstrate the feasibility and sensitivity of the method, while the experimental data obtained for other powdered compounds provide useful information for effective selection of candidate scintillators