Determination of Oxygen by Activation Analysis with Fast Neutrons Using a Low-Cost Portable Neutron Generator

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1962 · Analytical Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac60182a004· OSTI ID:4802782

Steele, E. L.; Meinke, W. W.

Fast neutron activation analysis, using a low-cost Cockcroft-Walton design accelerator as a source of 14-Mev (deuterium-tritium) neutrons, was found satisfactory for trace oxygen determination. This method is rapid, sensltive, and selective, and is free from most matrix interferences. Yet it uses equipment costing no more than good infrared or spectrographic instruments. Fast neutrons (>10 Mev) convert O/sup 16/ by an (n,p) reaction to 7.4-sec N¹⁶. This in turn emits 6 to 7 Mev gamma rays which are measured by scintillation spectrometry. Samples containing l0 mg or more of oxygen were analyzed to within plus or minus 10% with a fast flux of ~10⁸n cm^-2 sec^-1. Larger samples give smaller errors. By using all the sample area available with an average flux for irradiation of 10⁸n cm^-2 sec^-1 and using a proper transfer system, it should be possible by this nondestructive method to analyze to within ~ plus or minus 10 to 15% for as low as 10 ppm of oxygen. The average time for an analysis, including weighing, is approximately 7 minutes. The only interference encountered is from fluorine and this can be compensated for at F/O ratios below 10.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-16-007493
• OSTI ID: 4802782
• Journal Information: Analytical Chemistry, Journal Name: Analytical Chemistry Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 34; ISSN 0003-2700
• Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
COCKCROFT-WALTON ACCELERATORS
DEUTERIUM
ERRORS
FAST NEUTRONS
FLUORINE
INTERFERING ELEMENTS
NEUTRON BEAMS
NEUTRON SOURCES
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
OXYGEN
OXYGEN 16
PROTONS
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
TRACE AMOUNTS
TRITIUM