Nondestructive analysis of oil shales with PGNAA technique
The feasibility of nondestructive analysis of oil shales using the prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) technique was studied. The PGNAA technique, developed originally for continuous analysis of coal on the belt, was applied to the analysis of eight oil-shale samples, containing between 9 and 60 gallons of oil per ton and 0.8% to 3.4% hydrogen. The PGNAA technique was modified using four neutron moderation conditions: non-moderated neutrons; non-moderated and partially moderated neutrons reflected from a water box behind the source; neutrons moderated in a water box behind and in front of the source; and neutrons strongly moderated in a polyethylene block placed in front of the source and with reflected neutrons from a water box behind the source. The studied oil shales were measured in their aluminum or wooden (masonite) boxes. The obtained Ge-Li spectra were processed by LSI-11/23 computer, using the modified programs previously developed by SAI for continuous coal analysis. The results of such processing (the peak areas for several gamma lines) were corrected and plotted against the weight percent of each analyzed element (from the chemical analysis). Response curves developed for H, C, N, S, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ti, Ca, Fe and K show generally good linear proportions of peak area to the weight percent of the element. For hydrogen determination, NMD conditions had to be used where the response curve was not linear, but followed a curve whose slope rose with hydrogen concentration. This effect is caused by improving neutron self-moderation in sample boxes of rich oil shales, as compared to poor self-moderation of neutrons in very lean oil shales. The moisture in oil shales was measured by microwave absorption technique in small masonite boxes. This method was calibrated four times using oil-shale samples mixed gradually with larger and larger amounts of water.
- Research Organization:
- Science Applications, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC20-82LC10900
- OSTI ID:
- 7126269
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/LC/10900-1572; ON: DE84009288
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ALUMINIUM
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
CALCIUM
CARBON
HYDROGEN
IRON
MAGNESIUM
NITROGEN
OIL SHALES
POTASSIUM
SILICON
SODIUM
SULFUR
TITANIUM
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
NEUTRON REACTIONS
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
ON-LINE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
PROMPT GAMMA RADIATION
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
BARYON REACTIONS
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
DATA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GAMMA RADIATION
HADRON REACTIONS
INFORMATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MATERIALS
METALS
NONMETALS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEON REACTIONS
NUMERICAL DATA
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
RADIATIONS
SEMIMETALS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
040500* - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- Properties & Composition
400101 - Activation
Nuclear Reaction
Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures