No Subject

[Jean Charles ABBE <Jean-Charles.Abbe@IRCCYN.EC-NANTES.FR>]

Information Sheet on a CRP on “New applications of prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA)” for 2002 to 2005 (F.2.30.21)

Needs:

  

Improvement of the efficient use of

Research Reactor facilities is one of the priority mandates of the IAEA

as suggested by the Member States. Besides isotope production and basic

research the characterization of matter using neutrons as a probe is one

of major justifications for operating a research facility. Various

techniques are in use and under development for physical and chemical

investigations of primarily solid materials. For chemical analysis

neutron irradiation to produce excited states of isotopes is applied to

detect characteristic gamma ray emission  prompt or delayed  by

semi-conductor response. George de Hevesy and Hilde Levi have discovered

this principle of chemical analysis already in 1936. Hence, Neutron

Activation Analysis can be considered as the most versatile analytical

technique, best understood from the point of view of its physical

principles and its specific conditions offer a wide variety of different

applications.

Prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) using guided neutron

beams from Research Reactors or collimated neutrons from isotopic neutron

sources is based on the fact that isotopes absorbing neutrons emit

specific gamma rays within 10-14 s covering an energy range

from 0.01 to 12 MeV. The energy of the released radiation can be used to

identify the nuclide of origin and by comparison with a material of known

composition the activity released indicates the concentration of the

element of interest. PGNAA facilities are in use at several Research

Reactors worldwide and, although not as frequently used as conventional

INAA, the method has potential to fill certain niches in chemical

analytical application. 

PGNAA has been used for prospecting of minerals, for process control in

the cement industry and in coal fired power plants, for the detection of

explosives at airports and for demining of land, for in-vivo measurement

of various elements in animal and human bodies, for determination of

boron in boron neutron cancer therapy (BNCT), for the determination of

hydrogen in metals, and various elements in biological and environmental

materials. The particular strength of PGNAA lies in the sensitivity for

light Z-elements such as H, B, N, and some elements of exceptional high

cross section for neutron absorption, such as Cd, Hg and some Rare Earth

Elements. Under certain conditions gases and liquids can be easily

irradiated as well. Equipment needed for PGNAA is virtually identical to

conventional NAA and so all research facilities where INAA is carried out

are potentially suitable to install PGNAA if a beam line for irradiation

of samples is being available.

Rationale:

      

The

proposed CRP is aimed to explore new fields of application for Prompt

Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis and to enhance the general perception

of its role as a valuable analytical tool in the nuclear community.

Particularly in developing countries with functioning nuclear

infrastructure PGNAA could complement conventional NAA applications and

increase the profitable use of existing neutron sources. New applications

in the field of medical, industrial, geological, and environmental

analysis might attract scientific, and commercial interest in this

technique, which could help to support the nuclear installations.

Expected results of the project: The expected results of the

project would be:

§       Support of newly emerging PGNAA facilities in less developed countries to enhance their acceptance and perception among the analytical community

§       Establish new applications of PGNAA particularly in the field of prospecting and processing of minerals at facilities with nuclear infrastructure

§       Validate analytical results obtained by PGNAA by introduction of results from a previous CRP and inter-comparison of analysis.

§       Introduce the recent developments in PGNAA to less experienced users to enhance the reliability and applicability of the technique

§       Disseminate the results of this CRP to encourage other potential users to apply the technique according to their specific needs.

End users will be the nuclear analytical community with access to

irradiation facilities such as isotopic neutron sources and research

reactors. Established beam lines for irradiation of samples together with

standard counting facilities will be mandatory. Application of the k0

standardization method will be encouraged but standard comparison with

synthetic standards will be as well considered. Applications of the

technique, which go beyond the currently established applications will be

given priority. 

Impact:

 

The CRP will stimulate the effective

use of nuclear facilities in Research Centres with established nuclear

infrastructure. Possible commercial applications will help to maintain

self reliance of the facilities. Transfer of knowledge between users of

the same technique will create an increase degree of reliability and a

broader view of its applicability to solve analytical problems in MS

laboratories.

Technical description:

  

At the first

Research Co-ordination meeting participants of the CRP will report on

their approach and discuss the technical problems encountered. The

agreement holders will try to guide the participants towards a pragmatic

problem solving and assist, if necessary, to understand the theoretical

problem. Introduction of the k0 standardization would be desirable to

enhance the comparability of results. A programme for the validation of

results will be organized among the participants. 

During the second RCM progress will be reported and discussed and

strategies to enlarge the applicability of the achievements will be

proposed. Possibilities to disseminate the findings outside the

participants will be explored. Potential beneficiaries of the new

application will be approached to investigate potential economic use.

Further developments will be discussed and plans for further studies will

be agreed upon.

During the 3rd RCM all the results will be compiled and

prepared for publication. Stimulating results will be disseminated

through publications in international journals and at conferences. A

TECDOC will be prepared and distributed to other Nuclear Research

Centres.

Performance indicators: 

§       New applications and technical solutions to analytical problems using PGNAA

§       More users of the technique and higher awareness of the benefits of PGNAA

§       Greater reliability and comparability of PGNAA results through k0 standardization

Application:

Applications for participation should be send using the IAEA format

dully signed and submitted to the Research Contract Section, Mr. J. Reed,

(NACA, A2222, Tel.: +43 1 2600 21568, FAX: +43 1 26007 21568, IAEA

Vienna, P.O. Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria) not later than 20

February 2002. Advance copy can be send by e-mail to the Technical

Officer Mr. M. Rossbach

(m.rossbach@iaea.org)

or by Fax: +43 1 26007 21750. Evaluation of the proposals and

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=

Jean-Charles ABBE

Délégation CNRS

IRCCyN

1, Rue de la Noë

BP 92101

44321 Nantes cedex 3

Tel : 02 51 12 45 16

Fax :  02 51 81 05 77