Can Cheng

The background influence of cadmium detection in saline water using PGNAA technique

In order to solve the background influence of cadmium detection in saline water using prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) technique, a series experiments have been designed and carried out. Furthermore, a method based on internal standard was used to correct the neutron self-shielding effect, and the background influence has been decreased sequentially. The results showed a good linear relationship between the characteristic peak counts and the concentrations of cadmium after the neutron self-shielding correction. And in the detection of saline water by PGNAA technique, the proposed methodology can be used to reduce the influence of background with the self-shielding effect correction.

Simulation Study on the Moderator in PGNAA-Based Online Coal Measurement System

An online coal measurement system, which is based on the prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) technology and uses a D-T neutron generator, is studied in this work. To improve the analytical precision of the element in coal, the original moderator is optimized. The standards of the optimization are (1) the neutron flux increase 50% after moderation; (2) the proportion of thermal and middle-energy neutron and fast neutron is nearly equal to 1:1. Using Monte Carlo method, the moderator has been optimized by adding the uranium238 to the original moderator, which consists of high density polyethylene (HDPE). The simulation results show that the optimization standards can be basically satisfied when the thickness of the uranium238 and HDPE are 4cm and 1cm respectively. On this basis, preliminary study on introducing the channel to moderator is carried out. The preliminary results show that the channel can improve the total neutron flux. But also, it will decrease the proportion of thermal and middle-energy neutron and fast neutron.

Feasibility study for wax deposition imaging in oil pipelines by PGNAA technique

Wax deposition in pipelines is a crucial problem in the oil industry. A method based on the prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis technique was applied to reconstruct the image of wax deposition in oil pipelines. The 2.223MeV hydrogen capture gamma rays were used to reconstruct the wax deposition image. To validate the method, both MCNP simulation and experiments were performed for wax deposited with a maximum thickness of 20cm. The performance of the method was simulated using the MCNP code. The experiment was conducted with a 252Cf neutron source and a LaBr3: Ce detector. A good correspondence between the simulations and the experiments was observed. The results obtained indicate that the present approach is efficient for wax deposition imaging in oil pipelines.