Neutron Activation Analysis Technique Research Articles

Analytical Processing Development of Tin Element Using Wavelength Dispersion X-Ray Fluorescence (WDXRF) Technique

The aim of this work was to develop technical analysis of wavelength dispersion X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) and compare with technical neutron activation analysis (NAA). First, the standard of tin oxide (SnO) was ground into powder and mixed with boric acid (H3BO3) as binder at different weight. All of samples were investigated by WDXRF in normalize mode.The results indicated that the range can use to calibration at sample weight 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 g. Next, the three SnO samples from different area (A, B and C) were ground, mixed with binder at ratio 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 g and investigated by WDXRF in normalize mode. The results show tin (Sn) content of sample area A, B and C were 75.71, 74.61 and 71.01%, respectively. The result from NAA technique show Sn content of sample A, B and C were 79.36, 77.48 and 73.35%. The percentage error of WDXRF and NAA technique of the samples from the different area had 4.63, 3.70 and 3.19%. From the experiment as examined that the WDXRF technique could be improve process for determine chemical composition which one of choice for easy to used and low cost.

Neutron activation analysis of major and trace elements in Arabica and Robusta coffee beans samples consumed in Algeria

Abstract The Algerian neutron activation analysis laboratory is highly involved in nutrition applications in the framework of research activities using the Es-Salam research reactor. The main objective of this work is to contribute, by using nuclear analytical techniques, for studying a large number of natural food samples consumed in Algeria related to nutrition and human health. The present study focuses on the analysis of the most popular beans consumed worldwide, namely, the coffee species of Arabica and Robusta, based on the international markets. Chemical content of samples was assessed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and k 0-INAA techniques, through the irradiation of samples during 6 h at a thermal neutron flux of 4.5×1013cm−2s−1 of Es-Salam research reactor. A total of 17 elements were assessed such as, (Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, K, La, Na, Rb, Sc, Sm, Sr, Zn, Lu and Th) obtained by using INAA and k 0-INAA methods, While we used the radiochemical neutron activation analysis (RNAA and k 0-RNAA) to determine Selenium at low level concentrations, the accuracy of the method was evaluated by analyzing CRM and SRM. QC/QA was evaluated by using the statistical parameter U-score. Results were compared with those obtained for samples from Brazilian, Caribbean, Indian and Kenyan coffee beans reported in the literature. The daily intake of essentials and toxic elements was determined and compared with the recommended values. The probable cumulative intake of toxic elements was found to be well below the tolerance limits.

Assessment of toxic elements in sediments of Linggi River using NAA and ICP-MS techniques

Fourteen sediment samples were collected along Linggi River, Malaysia. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques were used in the determination of toxic element contents. The results showed that As, Cd and Sb concentrations were higher at all sampling stations, with enrichment factor values ranging from 17.7 to 75.0, 2.1 to 19.5 and 6.6 to 28.4, respectively. Elements of Pb and Zn) were also enriched at most of the sampling stations whilst Cu, Cr and Ni were shown as background levels. The sediment of Linggi River can be categorised as low (<8.0) to very high degree of contamination (>32.0). The mean concentrations of elements viz. Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn were lower than the threshold effect level (TEL) of FSQGs values except for As. The concentration of As (arsenic) was higher than PEL and PEC of FSQGs values.

Inter-laboratory validation of the WDXRF, EDXRF, ICP–MS, NAA and PGAA analytical techniques and geochemical characterisation of obsidian sources in northeast Hokkaido Island, Japan

Obsidian provenance studies, based on geochemical signatures, are important for determining the source regions of obsidian artefacts. Such research depends on the availability of reproducible geochemical data. An inter-laboratory study was conducted to validate analytical methods applied to samples from four obsidian sources in northeast Hokkaido Island (Shirataki, Rubeshibe, and Oketo regions). The methods applied were Wavelength-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (WDXRF), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS), Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) and Prompt-Gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA). Eight laboratories in Japan, the Russian Federation, Republic Korea, Hungary, Canada, and the USA took part in the trials. Results indicate discrepancies between laboratories, but compositional data for 53 elements were successfully compiled, and reference compositions for 16 elements in each sample defined. Based on these data, a new chemical discrimination scheme is proposed for obsidian sources in the Shirataki, Rubeshibe, and Oketo regions. This scheme is applicable to the discrimination of obsidian sources using semi-quantitative EDXRF analysis, with this being important in non-destructive provenance studies of artefacts. This study fosters the further establishment of reference materials for obsidian sources in the Hokkaido region, and the sharing of such materials.

Correlating laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with neutron activation analysis to determine the elemental concentration in the ionome of the Populus trichocarpa leaf

The black cottonwood poplar (Populus trichocarpa) leaf ionome (inorganic trace elements and mineral nutrients) is an important aspect for determining the physiological and developmental processes contributing to biomass production. A number of techniques are used to measure the ionome, yet characterizing the leaf spatial heterogeneity remains a challenge, especially in solid samples. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been used to determine the elemental composition of leaves and is able to raster across solid matrixes at 10μm resolution. Here, we evaluate the use of LIBS for solid sample leaf elemental characterization in relation to neutron activation. In fact, neutron activation analysis is a laboratory-based technique which is used by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to certify trace elements in candidate reference materials including plant leaf matrices. Introduction to the techniques used in this research has been presented in this manuscript. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) data has been correlated to the LIBS spectra to achieve quantification of the elements or ions present within poplar leaves. The regression coefficients of calibration and validation using multivariate analysis (MVA) methodology for six out of seven elements have been determined and vary between 0.810 and 0.998. LIBS and NAA data has been presented for the elements such as, calcium, magnesium, manganese, aluminum, copper, and potassium. Chlorine was also detected but it did not show good correlation between the LIBS and NAA techniques. This research shows that LIBS can be used as a fast, high-spatial resolution technique to quantify elements as part of large-scale field phenotyping projects.

Simultaneous quantification of Zr, Cr and Cu in copper alloy matrix using charged particle activation analysis

The charged particle activation analysis (CPAA) technique has been applied for quantitative estimation of Zr, Cr and Cu simultaneously in copper alloy. An ion beam of 13 MeV proton was found to be suitable to use (p,n) nuclear reaction channel in CPAA. The optimization of irradiation conditions were performed to apply instrumental approach by minimizing the production of matrix activity. The results of CPAA have been compared with those obtained by using instrumental neutron activation analysis and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence techniques. Analysis of variance test indicated the statistical parity of the results obtained in the above mentioned three methods.

Multi elemental analysis of indigenous food spices in Southern Ethiopia using INAA technique

The objective of this study is a quantitative and qualitative analysis of essential and trace elements of four indigenous Ethiopian spices and herbs using instrumental neutron activation analysis technique. Results obtained for 16 elements: Major elements; Mg, Cl, and K; Minor elements; Na, Fe, and Mn, Zn, Br. While Al, V, Sm, Sc, La, Ba, Eu, Rb were found in traces. The spices, Affromumom korarima and Lippa Adonesis var. Koseret sebsebe were found to be very good sources of essential trace elements like Fe, Zn and Mn. The highest concentration of Mg was found in Ajowan whereas K and Fe were measured in Coriander seeds. The average daily dietary intake of some essential elements from the use of these spices were found to be below the recommended upper limit by WHO.

Measurements of the cross sections of theW186(n,γ)W187, W182(n,p)Ta182, Gd154(n,2n)Gd153, andGd160(n,2n)Gd159reactions at neutron energies of 5 to 17 MeV

The cross sections of the $^{186}\mathrm{W}(n,\ensuremath{\gamma})^{187}\mathrm{W}, ^{183}\mathrm{W}(n,p)^{183}\mathrm{Ta}$ and $^{154}\mathrm{Gd}(n,2n)^{153}\mathrm{Gd}, ^{160}\mathrm{Gd}(n,2n)^{159}\mathrm{Gd}$ reactions were measured at the neutron energies $5.08\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.165, 8.96\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.77, 12.47\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.825$, and $16.63\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.95\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$. Standard neutron activation analysis technique and off-line $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ ray spectrometry were used for the measurement and analysis of the data. Measurements were done in the energy range where few or no measured data are available. The results from the present work are compared with the literature data based on the EXFOR compilation. The experimental results are supported by theoretical predictions using nuclear modular codes TALYS 1.8 and EMPIRE 3.2.2. The predictability of different one-dimensional models available in TALYS 1.8 and Levden models in EMPIRE 3.2.2 were tested. A detailed comparison of experimental results with theoretical model calculations is made.

Feasibility study for wax deposition imaging in oil pipelines by PGNAA technique

Wax deposition in pipelines is a crucial problem in the oil industry. A method based on the prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis technique was applied to reconstruct the image of wax deposition in oil pipelines. The 2.223MeV hydrogen capture gamma rays were used to reconstruct the wax deposition image. To validate the method, both MCNP simulation and experiments were performed for wax deposited with a maximum thickness of 20cm. The performance of the method was simulated using the MCNP code. The experiment was conducted with a 252Cf neutron source and a LaBr3: Ce detector. A good correspondence between the simulations and the experiments was observed. The results obtained indicate that the present approach is efficient for wax deposition imaging in oil pipelines.

Evaluation of Advanced NAA and AAS Techniques Against Conventional Techniques for Analysis of Metals in Bauxite Ores

Mining, as a whole has the potential to shape and affect economies directly and indirectly. India as a country is endowed with huge reserves of many minerals. The current study focuses on evaluation of the conventional analytical techniques used post mining of bauxite ore against the advanced Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) for analysis of its constituent metals. Detection levels of AAS showed the lowest levels of concentration for all metals when compared to wet chemical and NAA results. While this may be attributed to dilution errors associated with AAS, consistency was also observed to be lacking between the two technically superior methods viz. AAS and NAA. Though predictability could be established post statistical deliberations for NAA results of aluminium and titanium using corresponding regression equations of wet chemical analysis, the same was not observed to be desirable for iron quantification by NAA. This may in turn be due to minimal sample losses in wet chemical analysis and the total absence of the same in NAA technique which requires zero handling thus minimizing scope of human errors.

Note: A high count rate real-time digital processing method for PGNAA data acquisition system.

The prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) technique is a real-time online method to analyze the composition of industrial materials. This paper presents a data acquisition system with a high count rate and real-time digital processing method for PGNAA. Limited by the decay time of the detector, the ORTEC multi-channel analyzer (MCA) can normally achieve an average count rate of 100 kcps. However, this system uses an electrical technique to increase the average count rate and reduce dead time, and guarantees good accuracy. Since the measuring time is usually limited to about 120 s, in order to accelerate the accumulation rate of spectrum and reduce the statistical error, the average count rate is expected to reach more than 500 kcps.

Spectrum average cross section measurement of 183W (n, p)183Ta and 184W (n, p)184Ta reaction cross section in 252Cf(sf) neutron field

Neutron induced nuclear reactions are of prime importance for both fusion and fission nuclear reactor technology. Present work describes the first time measurement of spectrum average cross section of nuclear reactions 183W(n,p)183Ta and 184W(n,p)184Ta using 252Cf spontaneous fission neutron source. Standard neutron activation analysis (NAA) technique was used. The neutron spectra were calculated using Monte Carlo N Particle Code (MCNP). The effects of self-shielding and back scattering were taken into account by optimizing the detector modeling. These effects along with efficiency of detector were corrected for volume sample in the actual source-detector geometry. The measured data were compared with the previously measured data available in Exchange Format (EXFOR) data base and evaluated data using EMPIRE – 3.2.2.

Hydrogenolysis of Glycerol over γ-Al2O3-Supported Iridium Catalyst

In recent years, much attention has been focused on the hydrogenolysis of biodiesel derived glycerol to other high value products for the sustainable development and efficient valorization strategies. In the present work, alumina-supported Ir catalyst was prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method and tested in the glycerol hydrogenolysis reaction. The synthesized catalyst was characterized by neutron activation analysis, N2 physisorption, and H2 chemisorption techniques. The experiments standard conditions were 150 mL feed volume, 0.3 g catalyst, 1500 rpm stirring speed, and 5 wt% glycerol aqueous solution for 4 h. The effects of catalyst amount, temperature, hydrogen pressure, stirring speed, and solution pH on glycerol conversion and selectivity of the principal products obtained were also investigated. The glycerol conversion and the 1,2-propanediol selectivity varied from 4.9% to 22% and from 23.8% to 70.3%, respectively. It was found that the selectivity of 1,2-propanediol increased significantly with the increased alkalinity of the reaction medium.

Analysis of toxic heavy metals in cigarettes by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

The Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) technique was used to analyse 10 cigarette brands sold in the Egyptian market. The concentrations of trace and major constituents were measured to better understand the hazardous effects of smoking Egyptian cigarette tobacco. The samples were irradiated at the core of the Second Research Egyptian Reactor ET-RR-2, and the induced activities were counted by <gamma>-ray spectrometry using an efficiency-calibrated High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. The NAA k0-standardization method was used to determine the concentrations of 14 elements (Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Eu, K, Hf, Mg, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Th and Yb). The high concentrations found for some of these elements pose a health hazard to individuals exposed to these cigarettes

Avaliação preliminar da qualidade da fluoxetina comercializada por farmácias de manipulação em Belo Horizonte/MG

In this study, fourteen samples of fluoxetine being commercialized by thirteen different establishments of the network of magistral pharmacies in the City of Belo Horizonte/MG were assessed. The sampling corresponds to 47,0% of the total 30 different units of preparation of the city, which corresponds to about 180 points of sale. Analyses for determining weight, identification, active ingredient content and uniformity of dosage units were performed by the State Foundation Ezequiel Dias (FUNED /MG) based on methodologies described by reference pharmacopoeias. Irregularities, on the labeling and the content testing, were observed in some samples. It was also investigated, through the technique of neutron activation analysis (NAA), the presence and concentrations of metals and other inorganic impurities. The results showed the presence of elements such as As, Br, Cr Co, Cr, Hf and others, that even at low concentrations, may be harmful to human health if consumed steadily for a long term.

Development of methodologies for the analysis of uranium ores by k 0-instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Analytical methodologies were developed for the determination of elemental contents in four uranium ore samples (S-8, S-12, S-13 and S-17) from IAEA by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and semi-absolute k0-instrumental neutron activation analysis (k0-INAA) techniques. Combining the results for both techniques it was possible to determine 46 elements in the four ores. ICP-OES measured major elements, while k0-INAA quantified trace elements including rare earth elements. Application of principal component analysis successfully distinguished the samples on the basis of their lithologies.

Determination of concentrations of Fe, Mg, and Zn in some ferrite samples using neutron activation analysis and X-ray fluorescence techniques

Mg–Zn ferrite is considered as one of the important materials with potential uses in many applications. In this work, samples of ferrite Mg(1-x)ZnxFe2O4 (where x=0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1) were synthesized by the sol–gel method for use in some hyperthermia applications. The composition and purity of the prepared samples hardly affected their properties. Therefore, the elemental concentration of these samples was measured by the X-ray fluorescence technique and thermal neutron activation analysis to check the quality of the prepared samples. The results of both methods were compared with each other and with the molecular ratios of the as-prepared samples. In addition, no existing elemental impurity, with considerable concentration, was measured.

Chemical Investigation of Alkaleri Kaolin Deposit for Its Potential Industrial Applications

The kaolin sample from Alkaleri in Bauchi State was analyzed to ascertain its metal and metal oxides content and to investigate their potential use for industrial purposes. Neutron activation analysis technique was used for the metals while the turbimetric and Molybdenum Blue methods were used to determine the sulphates and phosphates respectively. The result showed that the Alkaleri kaolin with Fe (1.3 x 10-3%), K2O(0.53%), Na2O( 0.018%), TiO2 (4.6x10-4%), meets the specification for paper, ceramics, rubber, porcelain, pharmaceutics, cosmetics and glaze production but its alumina content is slightly below the minimum requirement for these uses except for rubber for which the content is within the specified value and for tiles for which the value is slightly above the specification. The combination of sulphate and phosphate contents which are 4.71% and 2.18ppm respectively could increase their absorbing property and makes them more useful for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The pH value of the kaolin was found to be 4.3 which makes it unsuitable for most industrial purposes, e.g. rubber and plastic production, the pH need to be increased to 5-7 range (the preferred value for most industrial uses). The nitrate and chloride contents indicated values of 18ppm and 0.3ppm respectively.

Spatial Distribution of Some Heavy Metals in Sediments from the River Hadejia Catchment, Nigeria

Heavy metals concentration levels was determined using Instrumental Nitrogen Activation Analysis (INAA) is possible using Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR) which is a Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR). It is specifically used for the Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) technique. The selection of sediment sample is because, overtime, the chemical elements precipitate on the sediment bed; therefore the sediment sample will indicate the true nature of the chemical elements present in the river system. River Hadejia is a perennial river, though the dry season flow is from the upstream regulated flow from the Tiga and Bagauda dams. The sediment samples were collected using stratified random sampling technique based on change in land use activity. Samples were collected during dry and wet seasons and analyzed in the laboratory. The results obtained show the presence of chemical contaminants Chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn), and Europium (Eu) in concentrations above the permissible limits in the Hadejia river system. For example, Chromium (Cr) has mean concentration of 432.86 mg/l as against the permissible limit for both WHO, (2011) and NSDWQ, (2007) of 0.05mg/l. Anthropogenic and natural geology of the area are the key determinants of the presence of these chemical elements in the area. It is recommended among others that there is need for routing the actual sources of these contaminants in our river catchment areas.

Design of a setup for 252Cf neutron source for storage and analysis purpose

252Cf is a reliable isotopic neutron source and widely used in the prompt gamma ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) technique. A cylindrical barrel made by polymethyl methacrylate contained with the boric acid solution was designed for storage and application of a 5μg 252Cf neutron source. The size of the setup was optimized with Monte Carlo code. The experiments were performed and the results showed the doses were reduced with the setup and less than the allowable limit. The intensity and collimating radius of the neutron beam could also be adjusted through different collimator.