ON-LINE ANALYSIS SYSTEM OF COAL ASH CONTENTS USING NEUTRON-INDUCED GAMMA SPECTROMETRY

Abstract

An automatic method of measuring the ash content of coal is needed by the coal industry. Automatic control of coal quality meets a demand of fast analysis for bulk sample and thus can reduce preparation costs. In this paper we would like to show an on-line analysis system of coal ash based on the well established technique of Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) using a ²⁵²Cf neutron source of approximately 10⁶ n/s. The shields of neutron source and arrangement of the sample and detector are designed compactly to ensure both radiation safety and stable measurement. The design calculations were performed based on a high intensity ²⁴¹Am/Be neutron source of 1.12×10⁷ n/s. Two these neutron sources
are available at the Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology (INST).