UTILIZATION OF NEUTRONS IN NUCLEAR DATA MEASUREMENTS AND BULK SAMPLE ANALYSIS
UTILIZATION OF NEUTRONS IN NUCLEAR DATA MEASUREMENTS AND BULK SAMPLE ANALYSIS
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Date
1995-03
Authors
Jonah, Sunday Adesunloye
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Abstract
Experimental investigations were carried out with
neutrons in the fields of neutron data measurements and
bulk sample analysis based on the interactions of neutrons.
The principles and techniques of neutron interactions
required in the investigations together with some salient
features of the sources employed are enumerated. Excitation
cross section curves and isomeric cross section ratio of
Ni(n,p) Co reaction over the neutron energy range of
between 5 and 15 MeV were determined using the activation
analysis technique in combination with high-resolution
gamma spectroscopy. Characteristics of the incident
neutrons produced via the D-T reaction of a neutron
generator and D-D reaction of a cyclotron were determined
experimentally to account for the contributing effects of
background neutrons especially in the 5-13 MeV neutron
energy range where existing data are scanty and rather
discrepant. The measured data agree well with calculated
data using nuclear models but deviate significantly from
the recommended data based on existing literature data. The
measured ° act and °
m
°
g data made it possible to determine
the cross section curve for Ni(n,p.)58 Com reaction.
Furthermore the flux density distributions of thermal and
primary fast neutrons in different configurations of bulk
samples consisting of water, graphite and coal together
with the attenuation characteristics were determined by the
activation analysis and pulse height response spectrometry
techniques. From the results obtained, an experimental
geometry has been proposed for on-line elemental analysis
of coal and other minerals. Similarly the total hydrogen
content and O+C/H atomic ratio in household and motor oils
as well as crude oil samples of different origins were
measured by an improved experimental arrangement based on
the thermal neutron reflection technique. A detection limit
of 0.12 w %. was obtained for hydrogen indicating the
possible adaptation of this technique for quality control
of petroleum products.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Postgraduate School of Ahmadu
Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of
Philosophy in Physics.
Department of Physics,
Faculty of Science,
Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria, Nigeria.
March, 1995
Keywords
NEUTRONS,, UTILIZATION,, NUCLEAR DATA,, MEASUREMENTS,, BULK SAMPLE ANALYSIS