Simultaneous determination of silica and alumina in bulk bauxite samples by fast neutron activation
A prototype of a bulk bauxite analyzer based on fast neutron activation analysis has been developed for simultaneously determining the chemical concentrations of alumina and silica in both dried and undried bulk bauxite samples (about 3.5 kg). The determination of alumina is based on measuring the count rate in the 0.844 MeV ..gamma..-ray peak emitted by /sup 27/Mg formed in the activation of aluminum. The determination of silica is based on measuring the count rate in the 1.78 MeV ..gamma..-ray peak emitted by /sup 28/Al formed in the activation of silicon. The interference from alumina in the determination of silica was eliminated by measuring an additional parameter, the thermal neutrons underneath the bulk sample. The technique enables up to 10 analyses per hour with an accuracy (1 sigma) of 0.28% silica and 0.9% alumina. The samples analyzed contained 48 to 62% alumina and 2 to 11% silica. The tests indicated that the accuracy of analysis was similar for samples which had been oven-dried (0 to 5% free moisture) and samples which were taken from the benefication plant with free moisture varying in a narrow range (10 to 14% free moisture). The results also indicated that crushing and grinding of samples did not significantly improve the accuracy.
- Research Organization:
- CSIRO, Melbourne, Australia
- OSTI ID:
- 6123709
- Journal Information:
- Anal. Chem.; (United States), Vol. 53:12
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
In vivo assessment of magnesium status in human body using accelerator-based neutron activation measurement of hands: A pilot study
Annual Progress Report for the Period July 1961 Through June 1962
Related Subjects
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
BAUXITE
SILICA
ACCURACY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FAST NEUTRONS
NEUTRON REACTIONS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
THERMAL NEUTRONS
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM ORES
BARYON REACTIONS
BARYONS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
DATA
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRON REACTIONS
HADRONS
INFORMATION
MINERALS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEON REACTIONS
NUCLEONS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
400101* - Activation
Nuclear Reaction
Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures