Method and apparatus for elemental analysis employing combination of neutron inelastic scattering and .gamma. ray scattering
First Claim
1. Measuring apparatus for quantitatively measuring the concentration of an element in a sample containing said element, said apparatus comprising a neutron inelastic scatter assembly, a γ
- ray scatter assembly and means to calculate said concentration from the outputs of said assemblies, said assemblies being matched to measure over essentially the same volume of said sample, said neutron inelastic scatter assembly comprising a first source yielding neutrons having energy sufficient to produce inelastically scattered first γ
rays from a stable insotope of said element, a first detector to detect said first γ
rays, and first shield means associated therewith to reduce the intensity of direct source, radiation, said γ
ray scatter assembly comprising a second source yielding second γ
rays, a second detector to detect said second γ
rays scattered from said sample, and second shield means associated therewith to reduce the intensity of direct source γ
rays.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus of elemental analysis which finds particular application in the on-line analyses of the specific energy (calorific value) of coal or coke by the determination of carbon content. Analysis is achieved by a comparison of the output of neutron inelastic scatter which produces first γ rays and of scatter of second γ rays. Preferably 4.43 MeV carbon γ rays are used and, in addition, one or more of moisture, ash, or hydrogen content of coal or coke can be measured using 2.2 MeV hydrogen capture γ rays. The method and apparatus have the advantage of providing a compensated count rate that is essentially independent of sample compaction.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. Measuring apparatus for quantitatively measuring the concentration of an element in a sample containing said element, said apparatus comprising a neutron inelastic scatter assembly, a γ
- ray scatter assembly and means to calculate said concentration from the outputs of said assemblies, said assemblies being matched to measure over essentially the same volume of said sample, said neutron inelastic scatter assembly comprising a first source yielding neutrons having energy sufficient to produce inelastically scattered first γ
rays from a stable insotope of said element, a first detector to detect said first γ
rays, and first shield means associated therewith to reduce the intensity of direct source, radiation, said γ
ray scatter assembly comprising a second source yielding second γ
rays, a second detector to detect said second γ
rays scattered from said sample, and second shield means associated therewith to reduce the intensity of direct source γ
rays. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- ray scatter assembly and means to calculate said concentration from the outputs of said assemblies, said assemblies being matched to measure over essentially the same volume of said sample, said neutron inelastic scatter assembly comprising a first source yielding neutrons having energy sufficient to produce inelastically scattered first γ
-
11. A method for quantitatively measuring one or more elements in a sample, said method comprising combining the results of (i) a measurement of neutron inelastic scatter γ
- rays over a selected volume of said sample, and (ii) a measurement of γ
ray scatter over said selected volume. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
- rays over a selected volume of said sample, and (ii) a measurement of γ
Specification