Design of a PGNAA facility using D-T neutron generator for bulk samples analysis

Abstract A prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) facility has been developed for the determination of elements in bulk samples. The basic design of the PGNAA facility is composed of three major components: A deuterium-tritium neutron generator, the neutron moderator and reflector, and a high-purity germanium detector. The Monte Carlo code was used to select materials of moderator and optimize geometrical size of the facility. Then the PGNAA facility was built based on the simulation results. The bulk aqueous samples containing chlorine and cadmium were analyzed with the facility. The neutron self-shielding effect of the bulk aqueous samples was also corrected. The results showed the minimum detectable concentration (MDC) of chlorine and cadmium were 2.58 ± 0.78 g/L and 0.05 ± 0.01 g/L, respectively. For mixture sample analysis, the relative deviations of calculated value and actual value for chlorine and cadmium were 5.1% and 2.0%, respectively.