Application of neutron activation analysis to the determination of alumina grades in bulk bauxite samples

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Abstract

A thermal neutron activation method has been developed to determine alumina grades in both dried and undried bulk bauxite samples (∼ 16 kg). The particle sizes of the dried samples (0.2–5.0% free moisture) varied from powder to natural pisolites (<2.8 cm diameter). For the undried samples (10–14% free moisture), the particles were in pisolitic form only. The accuracy for bauxite containing 48–62% alumina was 0.45% Al2O3 (1 SD) for both categories of samples. Data analysis showed that the essential parameters for accurate alumina determinations were the count rates of both the 1.78 MeV 28Al γ-rays and the thermal neutrons.

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