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Title: Pulsed Neurton Elemental On-Line Material Analyzer

Abstract

An on-line material analyzer which utilizes pulsed neutron generation in order to determine the composition of material flowing through the apparatus. The on-line elemental material analyzer is based on a pulsed neutron generator. The elements in the material interact with the fast and thermal neutrons produced from the pulsed generator. Spectra of gamma-rays produced from fast neutrons interacting with elements of the material are analyzed and stored separately from spectra produced from thermal neutron reactions. Measurements of neutron activation takes place separately from the above reactions and at a distance from the neutron generator. A primary passageway allows the material to flow through at a constant rate of speed and operators to provide data corresponding to fast and thermal neutron reactions. A secondary passageway meters the material to allow for neutron activation analysis. The apparatus also has the capability to determine the density of the flowed material. Finally, the apparatus continually utilizes a neutron detector in order to normalize the yield of the gamma ray detectors and thereby automatically calibrates and adjusts the spectra data for fluctuations in neutron generation.

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. Bowling Green, KY
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
UNIV OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FDN
OSTI Identifier:
879582
Patent Number(s):
6438189
Application Number:
09/273428
Assignee:
Numat, Inc. (Bowling Green, KY)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
DOE Contract Number:  
FG02-91ER75661
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Citation Formats

Vourvopoulos, George. Pulsed Neurton Elemental On-Line Material Analyzer. United States: N. p., 2002. Web.
Vourvopoulos, George. Pulsed Neurton Elemental On-Line Material Analyzer. United States.
Vourvopoulos, George. Tue . "Pulsed Neurton Elemental On-Line Material Analyzer". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/879582.
@article{osti_879582,
title = {Pulsed Neurton Elemental On-Line Material Analyzer},
author = {Vourvopoulos, George},
abstractNote = {An on-line material analyzer which utilizes pulsed neutron generation in order to determine the composition of material flowing through the apparatus. The on-line elemental material analyzer is based on a pulsed neutron generator. The elements in the material interact with the fast and thermal neutrons produced from the pulsed generator. Spectra of gamma-rays produced from fast neutrons interacting with elements of the material are analyzed and stored separately from spectra produced from thermal neutron reactions. Measurements of neutron activation takes place separately from the above reactions and at a distance from the neutron generator. A primary passageway allows the material to flow through at a constant rate of speed and operators to provide data corresponding to fast and thermal neutron reactions. A secondary passageway meters the material to allow for neutron activation analysis. The apparatus also has the capability to determine the density of the flowed material. Finally, the apparatus continually utilizes a neutron detector in order to normalize the yield of the gamma ray detectors and thereby automatically calibrates and adjusts the spectra data for fluctuations in neutron generation.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Aug 20 00:00:00 EDT 2002},
month = {Tue Aug 20 00:00:00 EDT 2002}
}