ISSN:
1588-2780
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
Notes:
Abstract A prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) system was used to calibrate and validate a Monte Carlo model as a proof of principle for the quantification of chlorine in soil. First, the response of an n-type HPGe detector to point sources of 60Co and 152Eu was determined experimentally and used to calibrate an MCNP4a model of the detector. The refined MCNP4a detector model can predict the absolute peak detection efficiency within 12% in the energy range of 120–1400 keV. Second, a PGNAA system consisting of a light-water moderated 252Cf (1.06 μg) neutron source, and the shielded and collimated HPGe detector was used to collect prompt gamma-ray spectra from Savannah River Site (SRS) soil spiked with chlorine. The spectra were used to calculate the minimum detectable concentration (MDC) of chlorine and the prompt gamma-ray detection probability. Using the 252Cf based PGNAA system, the MDC for Cl in the SRS soil is 4400 μg/g for an 1800-second irradiation based on the analysis of the 6110 keV prompt gamma-ray. MCNP4a was used to predict the PGNAA detection probability, which was accomplished by modeling the neutron and gamma-ray transport components separately. In the energy range of 788 to 6110 keV, the MCNP4a predictions of the prompt gamma-ray detection probability were generally within 60% of the experimental value, thus validating the Monte Carlo model.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1006740921047
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