Matrix Effects in Compositional Analysis of Bulk Materials by PGNAA (Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis)

摘要

The feasibility study has identified and evaluated the influence of important matrix effects which arise in the commercial application of prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) methods to bulk coal analysis as follows: neutron moderation and absorption changes; gamma ray attenuation in the sample; sample density and volume changes. The neutron induced capture gamma spectra were found to vary in a similar, predictable manner for all neutron absorbers found in coal such as hydrogen, boron, nitrogen, chlorine, and sulfur. Three different models have been proposed from this study to analyze coal by PGNAA methods and account for the significant matrix effects arising from hydrogen variation and other system perturbations.