Daqian Hei

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.

Study on the PGNAA measurement of heavy metals in aqueous solution by the Monte Carlo–Library Least-Squares (MCLLS) approach

In the present work, a prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) setup, which consists of a 300mCi 241Americium-Beryllium (Am-Be) neutron source and a 4 × 4-in. Bismuth germanium oxide (BGO) detector, was developed for heavy metal detection in aqueous solutions. A series of standard samples with analytical purity were prepared by dissolving heavy metals in deionized water. Quantitative spectrum analysis was performed by the Monte Carlo-Least-Squares (MCLLS) approach to measure the standard samples. The detector response functions of 4 × 4-in. BGO detector were generated by using the CEARDRF code. The element libraries were simulated in silico by the CEARCPG code, which was developed by Dr. Gardner. The simulation results presented were in very good agreement with the experimental results. The correlation coefficients were very close to 1 when the fitted spectrum was compared with the experimental spectrum. By applying the MCLLS approach, the relative deviation of the measurement accuracy was less than 2.27% for Ni, Mn, and Cu and up to 69.33% for Pb.

Degradation mechanism of p-cresol in aqueous solutions by gamma-ray irradiation

Degradation mechanism of p-cresol in aqueous solutions by gamma-ray irradiation was investigated at various initial p-cresol concentrations with different absorbed doses. The results show that p-cresol in aqueous solutions can effectively be degraded by gamma-ray irradiation. Chemical oxygen demand was used to assess the degree of mineralization of p-cresol. The degradation can be enhanced by the additions of free Radical Scavengers. The degradation products were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric. Degradation mechanism of p-cresol in aqueous solutions were proposed according to the products analysis.

Catalytic Effect of a Semiconductor on the Removal of Hexavalent Chromium from Aqueous Solution by γ-Ray Irradiation

Hexavalent chromium is a type of toxic chemical, it may cause allergies, hereditary genetic defects and cancer in humans by inhalation, and it is also a persistent danger to the environment. However, chromium metal, trivalent chromium and tetravalent chromium have low toxicities. In this study, semiconductor materials (quartz fibre and TiO2) were added to a hexavalent chromium solution and the removal efficiency of hexavalent chromium as a function of the γ-ray irradiation dose, as well as the catalytic mechanism, was investigated. It was observed that the reduction of hexavalent chromium by γ-ray irradiation was largely promoted in the presence of semiconductor materials; the semiconductor materials act as catalysts under the gamma-ray irradiation. The hexavalent chromium in the solution can be converted to an insoluble precipitate by gamma-ray irradiation. These results are highly beneficial to apply semiconductor materials as catalysts for the removal of contaminants by radiation.

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.