Evaluation of neutron flux parameters in irradiation sites of research reactor using the Westcott-formalism for the k 0 neutron activation analysis method

Abstract

Abstract Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis using k 0 ( k 0 -INAA) method has been used to determine a number of elements in sediment samples collected from El-Manzala Lake in Egypt. k 0 -INAA according to Westcott's formalism has been implemented using the complete irradiation kit of the fast pneumatic rabbit and some selected manually loaded irradiation sites for short and long irradiation at Egypt Second Research Reactor (ETRR-2). Zr–Au and Co sets as neutron flux monitors are used to determine the neutron flux parameters ( f and α ) in each irradiation sites. Two reference materials IAEA Soil-7 samples have been inserted and implemented for data validation and an internal monostandard multi monitor used ( k 0 based IM-NAA). It was given a good agreement between the experimental analyzed values and that obtained of the certified values. The major and trace elements in the sediment samples have been evaluated with the use of Co as an internal and Au as an external monostandard comparators. The concentrations of the elements (Cr, Mn and Zn) in the sediment samples of the present work are discussed regarding to those obtained from other sites.