Sulfur analysis in bulk samples using a DD portable neutron generator based PGNAA setup
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Sulfur analysis in bulk samples using a DD portable neutron generator based PGNAA setup T. Al‑Abdullah1 · A. A. Naqvi1 · F. Z. Khiari1 · M. Raashid1 · A. H. Isab2 Received: 10 May 2020 © Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary 2020
Abstract Prompt gamma ray analysis of sulfur-contaminated soil samples was carried out using a Genie 16 DD portable neutron generator and a 12.7 cm × 12.7 cm (diameter × height) BGO detector. The minimum detectable concentration MDC ± 𝜎MDC was measured from soil samples containing 4.4, 7.1, 9.6, and 13.47 wt% sulfur using the 5.42 MeV sulfur capture gamma rays. The measured value of MDC ± 𝜎MDC for sulfur, which was 1.30 ± 0.40 wt%, is in good agreement with the corresponding values reported earlier with intense 252Cf source-based PGNAA setups. Keywords Sulfur contaminated soil samples · BGO detector · 2.5 MeV neutrons · PGNAA · MDC
Introduction Prompt Gamma Ray Neutron Activation analysis (PGNAA) has been successfully used in broad fields [1], such as archeology [2], biology [3, 4],geology [5–8], environment [9], and homeland security [10]. PGNAA technique was also used in borehole analysis using 252Cf and 241Am-Be radioisotopic sources [11]. The 252Cf source was favored because of its soft neutron energy spectrum (0.39–10.2 MeV energy range and average energy of 2.76 MeV at 0° [12]) allowing efficient neutron thermalization. Furthermore, the 252Cf source is available in compact size with higher neutron intensities. 241 Am-Be radioisotope sources suffer from hardness of neutron energy spectrum and high 4.4 MeV gamma ray background, thereby limiting their use in PGNAA applications. Previously, 252Cf source-based PGNAA setups were used to measure the concentrations of elements of industrial and environmental importance, like sulfur in bulk samples [5–8]. Sulfur concentration in mineral ores, coal, and fossil fuels has to be monitored due to its hazardous contribution in Greenhouse gases and acid rain, and consequently deforestation of the environment [13, 14]. Borsarua et al., reported * T. Al‑Abdullah [email protected] 1
Department of Physics, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Department of Chemistry, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
2
using the PGNAA technique for the determination of sulfur in coal seams and overburden rocks using a single 252Cf isotopic neutron source [5]. Marshall and Zumberge [7] determined the quality of coal and its sulfur content using one 252Cf source. Similarly, Herzog [8] presented a PGNAA study for analysis of minerals, measuring sulfur in coal samples using two strong 252Cf sources. Parallel to 252Cf sources, neutron generators were also used for borehole analysis [15]. After the development of advanced compact accelerator-based DT neutron generators [16], their applications grew rapidly in the laboratories as well as in field studies. This was partly due to their new design features, particularly the protruding tube of the accelerator allowing easy access to the ne
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