Neutron activation analysis for uranium and associated elements
The samples obtained by the Savannah River Laboratory as part of the National Uranium Resource Evaluation program are activated in the intense neutron flux from a Savannah River Plant production reactor. A pilot-scale facility was installed at the reactor site to provide analyses of samples through the initial phase of the program and to develop design data for a full-scale facility. Sediments are analyzed by direct activation of 0.5-g samples. However, to analyze ground or surface water samples, mineral elements from 1-liter samples are concentrated on ion exchange resin and then approximately 5-g samples of resin are activated. Uranium concentration is determined by counting neutrons emitted from specific short-lived products of fission induced in /sup 235/U by the primary neutron flux. Repetitive short cycles of irradiation and counting permit detection and determination of <0.1 ..mu..g of uranium. Elements associated with uranium are determined by spectral analysis of the gamma ray activities induced by the cyclic and subsequent longer irradiations. The pilot facility consists of four irradiation positions (plus 2 spare positions), a sample loader and unloader, and counting stations with neutron and gamma ray detectors, all interconnected with a pneumatic sample transport system. A computer controls both the transport system and the data acquisition devices. Gamma ray counting data are stored on magnetic tape for further processing by a large central computer. Facility hardware and software are described. Repetitive analyses of standards have shown an accuracy within +-10% for uranium values and within +-25% for associated elements. A quality assurance program has been developed to maintain these levels of reliability.
- Research Organization:
- Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, SC (USA). Savannah River Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- E(07-2)-1
- OSTI ID:
- 7209987
- Report Number(s):
- DP-MS-77-13; CONF-770314-3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
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400101 -- Activation
Nuclear Reaction
Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures
ACTINIDES
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
BARYON REACTIONS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ELEMENTS
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HADRON REACTIONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
METALS
NEUTRON REACTIONS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEON REACTIONS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROSPECTING
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RESOURCES
SEDIMENTS
URANIUM
URANIUM DEPOSITS
USA
WATER