Determination of uranium in thorium matrixes by epithermal neutron activation analysis

Uranium in thorium matrixes or in minerals and ores containing thorium is determined by epithermal neutron activation analysis (ENAA). In some minerals and ores, such as monazite sands, the analysis can be carried out by purely instrumental means with no chemical separation of uranium or thorium from the irradiated matrix. For thorium compound matrixes with very low uranium contents, a rapid radiochemical separation method, based on the retention of uranyl ion on anion-exchange resins, is first carried out, before counting the gamma-ray peaks for²³⁹U in multichannel analysers coupled to NaI(Tl) scintillators or to Ge(Li) detectors.     

Application of X-ray fluorescence,delayed neutron counting and flame emission spectrometry in the investigation of radiometric anomalies in the Sokoto Basin of Nigeria

Radioelement contents of rock samples collected from some locations in the Sokoto Basin of Nigeria, where radiometric anomalies had earlier been delineated by gamma-ray spectrometric surveys, were determined by X-ray fluorescence technique using²³⁸Pu and¹⁰⁹Cd excitation sources. The uranium contents determined were compared with delayed neutron counting results, while flame emission spectrometry was used to cross-check potassium contents. The analyses revealed uranium and thorium enrichments, with U/Th ratio of about 1.8, and negligible potassium concentrations in most samples.     

Comparison studies adsorption of thorium and uranium on pure clay minerals and local Malaysian soil sediments

Adsorption studies of thorium and uranium radionuclides on 9 different pure clay minerals and 4 local Malaysian soil sediments were conducted. Solution containing dissolved thorium and uranium at pH 4.90 was prepared from concentrate sludges from a long term storage facility at a local mineral processing plant. The sludges are considered as low level radioactive wastes. The results indicated that the 9 clay minerals adsorbed more uranium than thorium at pH ranges from 3.74 to 5.74. Two local Malaysian soils were observed to adsorb relatively high concentration of both radionuclides at pH 3.79 to 3.91. The adsorption value 23.27 to 27.04 ppm for uranium and 33.1 to 50.18 ppm for thorium indicated that both soil sediments can be considered as potential enhanced barrier material for sites disposing conditioned wastes containing uranium and thorium.     

龙门山山前断裂带中氡活度浓度的检测

对龙门山山前断裂带两侧表土中氡活度浓度进行了检测.结果表明,不同地层中,由于铀、钍等放射性元素含量的不同,其土壤中氡浓度也存在着明显的差异;在第四纪地层中,氡活度浓度的变化视表土的干湿程度、空隙度等而论,其变化范围存在很大差异.     

A comparative study of some nuclear methods for235U/238U isotopic ratios determination

In the present work, a comparative study is made among nuclear methods for²³⁵U/²³⁸U ratios determination: activation analysis followed by high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry, delayed neutron counting, passive gamma-ray and alpha spectrometry. Activation analysis followed by high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry yielded a relative standard deviation down to 0.1% and a relative error of about 1% for standards of uranium enriched to 14%. Passive gamma-ray spectrometry using Ge(Li) detectors yielded a relative error down to 0.1% for enriched uranium and values even lower for the standard deviation. Passive gamma-ray spectrometry using Low Energy Photon Detector (LEPD) yielded a precision of 0.2% and a still better accuracy for enriched standards. In the case of alpha spectrometry, a relative error down to 0.5% and a precision of about 1% were obtained, also for enriched uranium standards. Delayed neutron counting allowed a relative standard deviation of about 7% and a relative error of about 2%, for standards of depleted uranium.     

Determination of uranium and thorium concentrations in some West Malaysian limestones using neutron activation and delayed neutron analysis

Concentrations of uranium and thorium in some West Malaysian limestones have been determined using neutron activation and delayed neutron analyses. These limestones are mainly calcium carbonates and contain uranium and thorium in concentrations of about a few parts per million.     

A simple method for the determination of uranium and thorium by delayed neutron counting

A simple method for the determination of uranium and thorium by delayed neutron counting is described. One portion of the sample is irradiated in a reactor and the delayed neutrons are counted. Another portion of the sample is mixed with B₄ C powder absorbing the thermal neutrons, and irradiated in the same position. From those data, both uranium and thorium can be calculated when a quantitative calibration has been made beforehand. The detection limits for the pure elements are 0.07 ppm for uranium and 2 ppm for thorium with the minimum analyzing time being 2 min. The accuracy of the method is investigated by comparing results obtained by the method described here with results obtained by epithermal activation analysis.     

Extrapolation studies on adsorption of thorium and uranium at different solution compositions on soil sediments

Study on adsorption of thorium and uranium radionuclides by a soil sediment as a function of ionic composition of Ca, Mg and Na has been carried out. Experimentally determined slopes represents an average of adsorption on soil sediments having different relative affinities for thorium, uranium, calcium and magnesium. Both thorium and uranium were found to be adsorbed to ion-exchange sites together with calcium and magnesium cations as effective competitors An extrapolated equation for the distribution coefficientK _d was formed for both radionuclides thorium and uranium at the specified site where the soil sediments were sampled. The combined cation concentration of both calcium and magnesium in solution correlates linearly with the measuredK _d ^Th,U values.     

Ion exchange separation of trace amounts of uranium and thorium in tantalum for neutron activation analysis

Separation method of a few ppb of uranium and thorium in tantalum metal by ion exchange for neutron activation analysis was established. After dissolving tantalum metal by hydrofluoric acid, uranium and thorium were separated from tantalum using cation exchange resin column in 0.5M hydrofluoric –0.65M boric acid media. Both of the yields for uranium and thorium during separation were above 95% and the remaining amount of tantalum be lowered below 400 ng.     

Determination of naturally radioactive elements in construction materials by means of gammaspectroscopy,track registration techniques and neutron activation analysis

Five types of Cuban concretes and their main components (mineral aggregates and cements) were analyzed for uranium, thorium, radium, potassium and radon (²²⁰Rn,²²²Rn) using -spectroscopy, track registration methods and neutron activation analysis. Comparative evaluation of different concretes, aggregates and two types of cements concerning their natural radioactivity is presented.     

Thorium and uranium determinations in acrylic by neutron activation analysis

Improvements in the detection limits of thorium and uranium in acrylics by neutron activation analysis are described. The average of results from 10 g samples was found to be higher than the results from 450 g samples taken from the same acrylic sheet. Using eighteen large (450 g) samples from a single sheet of acrylic gave an average value of 3.2±0.3 pg/g thorium and 1.1±0.7 pg/g uranium. Interpretation of the results is discussed. Epithermal neutron activation with Cd shielded irradiations did not improve the detection sensitivity for thorium.     

Assessment of the natural radioactivity using two techniques for the measurement of radionuclide concentration in building materials used in Japan

The specific activities of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K in selected building materials used in Japan were measured using a high-purity germanium detector. The uranium and thorium concentrations were determined from same samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. There was a good agreement between the measurement of uranium and thorium with both methods (R ² = 0.94, and 0.97, respectively). Based on the specific activities, we have estimated some hazard indexes such as radium equivalent activities (Ra _eq), external hazard index (H _ex), internal hazard index (H _in), annual gonadal equivalent dose (AGED), internal alpha dose, mass exhalation rate and emanation coefficient of radon.     

Determination of trace concentrations of thorium in uranium oxide matrix by epithermal instrumental neutron activation analysis

An epithermal instrumental neutron activation analysis (EINAA) method using cadmium filter was standardized to determine trace concentrations of thorium in four samples of uranium oxide (U₃O₈) samples. Samples and thorium standards, wrapped with cadmium foil, were irradiated at a reactor neutron flux of about 10¹² cm^?2 s^?1. Radioactive assay was carried out using a Compton suppressed anticoincidence gamma ray spectrometer consisting of HPGe-BGO detectors coupled to MCA. Concentrations of thorium in these samples were found to be in the range of 15–72 mg kg^?1. EINAA results were validated by determining thorium concentrations in uranium matrix by standard addition method. EINAA results were compared with those obtained by two wet chemical methods namely ion chromatography (IC) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results obtained by the three methods were found to be in good agreement, indicating further validity of the proposed EINAA method.     

Determination of uranium and thorium in solar salts by neutron activation analysis

Uranium and thorium contents of solar salts were measured by neutron activation analysis. In advance of neutron irradiation, U and Th were concentrated and separated from some interfering elements by neutralization in which they were precipitated with aluminium hydroxide from solutions obtained by dissolving the salts in water or dilute nitric acid solution. The uranium and thorium concentrations determined were from several hundred ppt to 10 ppb. It was strongly indicated that uranium tends to remain in the solution (brine from seawater) phase in the process of solar salt production while thorium tends to transfer to the solid (solar salt) phase.     

Gamma-ray production cross section from energetic neutron inelastic scattering for methodical improvements in planetary gamma-ray spectroscopy

Planetary gamma-ray spectroscopy can be used to chemically analyze the top soil from planets in future planetary missions. The production from inelastic neutron interaction plays an effective role in the determination on the C and H at the surface. The gamma-ray production cross section from the strongest lines excited in the neutron bombardment of Fe have been measured by the use of a time analyzed quasi-mono-energetic neutron beam and a high purity germanium detector. The results from En=6.5, 32, 43, and 65 MeV are presented.     

Neutron activation analysis for ultra low contents of uranium and thorium in aluminium and silica

Highly sensitive neutron activation analysis of uranium and thorium in high quality silica and aluminium has been investigated using the Japan Materials Testing Reactor (JMTR), having a thermal neutron flux higher than 10¹⁴ n/cm²/s. In order to determine ultra-low contents of uranium and thorium,²³⁹Np and²³³Pa as activation products were separated by using anion exchange and LaF₃ coprecipitation methods. As a result, a number of interfering radioactive isotopes containing double neutron capture product such as¹⁸³Ta were removed completely from the isolated²³⁹Np and²³³Pa fraction and the detection limits for uranium and thorium were found to be 2·10^–12 g and 4·10^–13 g, respectively.     

On-stream nuclear activation of trace uranium and thorium using a 14 MeV neutron generator

A method for the continuous on-stream determination of trace concentrations of uranium and thorium in flowing streams is developed. The 14 MeV neutron generator was used for irradiation and the delayed neutron counting technique was employed in counting the induced neutron activity. The dependence of the minimum detectable concentration on the irradiation, decay and counting times, liquid flow-rate and the background was studied. At optimal conditions, uranium and thorium concentrations were determined down to 20 and 100 ppm, respectively. The interference of the neutron emitting nuclide^17m O was reduced to an insignificant level by optimizing the decay time.     

Concentration of radon precursors in some malaysian building materials

Five types of building material of different quality and from different sources were analyzed for uranium and thorium using instrumental neutron activation analysis /INAA/. The concentration of thorium was found to be about 3–5 times higher than uranium while the activities were about the same. The total activities of both elements was found to be between 1–4 pCi g^–1.     

Optimum timing parameters in 14 MeV neutron activation analysis of thorium and uranium using delayed neutron counting

A detailed theoretical treatment of cyclic activation analysis of thorium and uranium using a 14 MeV neutron generator and delayed neutron counting is presented. Variations of the detector response with sample transfer and total experiment times are examined in order to obtain the optimum cycle periods for the maximum detector response. Cycle optimization for 95% and 90% of the maximum detector response is investigated. Furthermore, elimination of the delayed neutrons produced by the reaction¹⁷O(n,p)¹⁷N is also considered in optimum cycle timing. Finally, calculations are carried out to estimate detection limits for thorium and uranium. Experimental results will be reported in a subsequent paper.     

High precision elemental abundances for tektites and crater glasses-thorium,uranium and potassium

Thorium, uranium and potassium mean abundances for 15 Ivory Coast tektites, 23 Australites, 10 Philippinites, 25 Thailandites, 16 Bediasites and 12 Moldavites are reported. Abundances are also reported for Muong Nong type tektites, Nordlinger Ries crater glass, Bosumtwi crater glass and Darwin crater glass. Previous measurements are reviewed. The value of the present work lies in the fact that high precision instrumental neutron activation analysis was employed to measure a large number of tektites encompassing the major strewn fields. Four independent measurements of thorium were made for each specimen with two Ge(Li) gamma spectrometers. Two of the measurements were based on the 312 keV gamma of²³³Pa, while the other two measurements were based on the uranium and X-rays which accompany the decay of²³³Pa. Internal consistency among the four thorium measurements is high. The uranium measurements were based on the 106 keV gamma of²³⁹Np, while potassium was measured from the 1524 keV gamma of⁴²K.