Abstract
The PGNAA system for the cement measurement was simulated based on Monte Carlo method. The sizes of the moderator and reflector for the 14 MeV DT neutron generator were optimized for fast and thermal neutron outputs. The DT neutron generator was simulated at the pulse mode, and the gamma-ray detector was set as LaBr3(Ce) scintillator. The characteristic peaks of the major elements (Ca, Si, Al, Fe) can be identified from the gamma-ray spectra which induced at the different time intervals of the neutron radiation. For the different thicknesses of the cement sample the ratios of the gamma-ray peaks were observed, and the result showed that when the thickness was between 20 to 30 cm, the ratios became stable. With the ratios, we can calculate the iron modulus, silica modulus and lime saturation factor.
Highlights
Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) facilities have been widely used in many industry fields, such as coal analysis, cement measurement, explosive detection, elemental analysis of special materials and etc. [1–8]
The samples are irradiated by the neutrons output from the neutron sources, and the gamma rays which are induced from the thermal neutron capture reactions and fast neutron inelastic scattering reactions between the neutron sources and samples, are recorded by the gamma-ray detectors
As the gamma rays were induced by the neutron inelastic scattering (NIS) and thermal neutron capture (TNC) reactions, the absorption of the gamma rays occurred at the same time
Summary
The DT neutron generator was simulated at the pulse mode, and the gamma-ray detector was set as LaBr3(Ce) scintillator. The characteristic peaks of the major elements (Ca, Si, Al, Fe) can be identified from the gamma-ray spectra which induced at the different time intervals of the neutron radiation. For the different thicknesses of the cement sample the ratios of the gamma-ray peaks were observed, and the result showed that when the thickness was between 20 to 30 cm, the ratios became stable. Peer Review History: PLOS recognizes the benefits of transparency in the peer review process; we enable the publication of all of the content of peer review and author responses alongside final, published articles. Data Availability Statement: All relevant data are within the paper and its S1 File.
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