Controlling Analytical Errors in Neutron Activation Analysis at the Dow Chemical Company

Conference · Sun Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 1998

OSTI ID:786620

Romick, J D; Rigot, W L

The Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) group at the Dow Chemical Company analyzes 6000 to 7000 samples per year. Project requests range from semiquantitative elemental scans, to trace element determinations, to assay of major constitutents in a wide variety of materials. It is crucial that the results are sufficiently accurate and precise to meet our customers' requirements. To fulfill these needs, we have measured the neutron flux profile in the rotary specimen rack and the pneumatic tube facility, and the flux tilt within the reactor to determine how these parameters affect the accuracy and precision of elemental analyses. In addition, studies have been done to estimate both the precision and accuracy of analyses using the rotary specimen rack and pneumatic tube systems. Detector calibrations and data acquisition equipment have been optimized to provide high-precision analyses.

• Research Organization: Dow Chemical USA, Midland, MI (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: none (US)
• OSTI ID: 786620
• Report Number(s): none; ISSN 0003-018X; CODEN TANSAO; ISSN 0003-018X; CODEN TANSAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ACCURACY
DATA ACQUISITION
ELEMENTS
ERRORS
NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
NEUTRON FLUX
PNEUMATICS
QUALITY CONTROL
TRACE AMOUNTS