ABSORPTION ANALYZER
Abstract
A means was developed for continuously computing and indicating the isotopic assay of a process solution and for automatically controlling the process output of isotope separation equipment to provide a continuous output of the desired isotopic ratio. A counter tube is surrounded with a sample to be analyzed so that the tube is exactly in the center of the sample. A source of fast neutrons is provided and is spaced from the sample. The neutrons from the source are thermalized by causing them to pass through a neutron moderator, and the neutrons are allowed to diffuse radially through the sample to actuate the counter. A reference counter in a known sample of pure solvent is also actuated by the thermal neutrons from the neutron source. The number of neutrons which actuate the detectors is a function of a concentration of the elements in solution and their neutron absorption cross sections. The pulses produced by the detectors responsive to each neu tron passing therethrough are amplified and counted. The respective times required to accumulate a selected number of counts are measured by associated timing devices. The concentration of a particular element in solution may be determined by utilizing the following relation:more »
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- OSTI Identifier:
- 4833730
- Patent Number(s):
- 3009062
- Assignee:
- U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- NSA Number:
- NSA-16-000386
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-62
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- ENGINEERING AND EQUIPMENT; ABSORPTION; AMPLIFIERS; CONTROL SYSTEMS; COUNTERS; CROSS SECTIONS; DIFFUSION; ISOTOPES; NEUTRON SOURCES; QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS; QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS; SAMPLING; SOLVENTS; THERMAL NEUTRONS; TIMING CIRCUITS; TUBES
Citation Formats
Brooksbank, Jr, W A, Leddicotte, G W, Strain, J E, and Hendon, Jr, H H. ABSORPTION ANALYZER. United States: N. p., 1961.
Web.
Brooksbank, Jr, W A, Leddicotte, G W, Strain, J E, & Hendon, Jr, H H. ABSORPTION ANALYZER. United States.
Brooksbank, Jr, W A, Leddicotte, G W, Strain, J E, and Hendon, Jr, H H. Tue .
"ABSORPTION ANALYZER". United States.
@article{osti_4833730,
title = {ABSORPTION ANALYZER},
author = {Brooksbank, Jr, W A and Leddicotte, G W and Strain, J E and Hendon, Jr, H H},
abstractNote = {A means was developed for continuously computing and indicating the isotopic assay of a process solution and for automatically controlling the process output of isotope separation equipment to provide a continuous output of the desired isotopic ratio. A counter tube is surrounded with a sample to be analyzed so that the tube is exactly in the center of the sample. A source of fast neutrons is provided and is spaced from the sample. The neutrons from the source are thermalized by causing them to pass through a neutron moderator, and the neutrons are allowed to diffuse radially through the sample to actuate the counter. A reference counter in a known sample of pure solvent is also actuated by the thermal neutrons from the neutron source. The number of neutrons which actuate the detectors is a function of a concentration of the elements in solution and their neutron absorption cross sections. The pulses produced by the detectors responsive to each neu tron passing therethrough are amplified and counted. The respective times required to accumulate a selected number of counts are measured by associated timing devices. The concentration of a particular element in solution may be determined by utilizing the following relation: T2/Ti = BCR, where B is a constant proportional to the absorption cross sections, T2 is the time of count collection for the unknown solution, Ti is the time of count collection for the pure solvent, R is the isotopic ratlo, and C is the molar concentration of the element to be determined. Knowing the slope constant B for any element and when the chemical concentration is known, the isotopic concentration may be readily determined, and conversely when the isotopic ratio is known, the chemical concentrations may be determined. (AEC)},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1961},
month = {11}
}