Treatability study using prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) technology, Phase I. Topical report
- and others
This report reviews the progress accomplished during Phase I of a two-phase project intended to demonstrate the use of Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) as a technology for the characterization of hazardous and radioactive contaminants in concrete floors. A comprehensive experimental program was undertaken using the N-SCAN{trademark} PGNAA system, which was initially developed by Westinghouse for soil characterization, to determine the sensitivity of PGNAA for several contaminants in concrete. The experiments were performed in a test facility specially designed and constructed for this project. The lower limits of detection derived from the experimental data were encouraging for mercury, cadmium, uranium-238, thorium-232, technetium-99, chlorine, uranium-235 and chromium. These limits were achieved after modifications made to the original N-SCAN system significantly improved its sensitivity for elements located at or near the surface of concrete. With the implementation of additional performance-enhancing modifications scheduled in Phase II, the detection sensitivity of N-SCAN at the end of this project is expected to be at least one order of magnitude higher, allowing N-SCAN to become an effective characterization tool. N-SCAN has several important advantages over current characterization methods and technologies.
- Research Organization:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States). Science and Technology Center
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC21-93MC30177
- OSTI ID:
- 172096
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/MC/30177-5047; ON: DE96000588; TRN: 96:003747
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Jun 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
40 CHEMISTRY
CADMIUM
NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
SENSITIVITY
CHLORINE
CHROMIUM
FLOORS
CONTAMINATION
MERCURY
CONCRETES
TECHNETIUM 99
THORIUM 232
URANIUM 235
URANIUM 238
DETECTION
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
GAMMA DETECTION
FEED MATERIALS PRODUCTION CENTER