Neutron activation analysis of precious metals using a medical cyclotron as the neutron source****

使用医用回旋加速器作为中子源对贵金属进行中子活化分析****

• 批准号: 533999-2018
• 负责人: Campbell, Michael
• 金额: $ 1.68万
• 依托单位: Lakehead University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Engage Grants Program
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2018-01-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=646756
• 关键词: Neutron; activation; analysis; precious; metals

The identification and quantification of precious metals in ore samples can be a costly and time-consuming process. One of the current methods of analyzing ore samples is through a technique called the fire assay. This method, while very accurate, has the disadvantage of being a destructive testing technique and requires the use of lead to aid in the extraction of precious metal from the ore. ****Goldcorp Inc. Musselwhite mine is seeking an alternative method of analyzing ore and bullion samples for gold and other precious metals. The method must provide a low cost non-destructive method of testing gold and ore samples with a minimal environmental footprint. This work proposes to develop a new method for the analysis of mineral and bullion samples through neutron activation analysis (NAA) using the neutron flux produced by a medical cyclotron. ****We will develop a method of introducing samples into the cyclotron vault for irradiation and subsequent gamma analysis to determine the elemental make up of a sample. Through this work we will develop the analysis technique and determine the detection limits for the metals of interest as well as for key impurities.****This technique offers a non-destructive testing method and eliminates the production of lead waste products. We intend to harness this effectively free source for neutrons for NAA. If successful this would provide an opportunity for mining companies to have a non-destructive testing method that minimized environmental impact and provide cyclotron operators with an additional use of their facilities with minimal impact on their routine operations.

鉴定和量化矿石样品中的贵金属可能是一个昂贵和耗时的过程。 目前分析矿石样品的方法之一是通过一种称为火试金的技术。这种方法虽然非常准确，但缺点是作为一种破坏性测试技术，需要使用铅来帮助从矿石中提取贵金属。 * 纽约证券交易所Musselwhite矿正在寻找一种分析矿石和金条样品中黄金和其他贵金属的替代方法。 该方法必须提供一种低成本的非破坏性方法，以最小的环境足迹测试黄金和矿石样品。 本文提出了一种利用医用回旋加速器产生的中子通量进行中子活化分析的新方法。* 我们将开发一种方法，将样品引入回旋加速器拱顶进行辐照和随后的伽马分析，以确定样品的元素组成。 通过这项工作，我们将开发分析技术，并确定感兴趣的金属以及关键杂质的检测限。该技术提供了一种非破坏性的测试方法，并消除了铅废物的产生。我们打算利用这种有效的中子源进行中子活化分析。 如果成功，这将为采矿公司提供一个机会，使其拥有一种无损测试方法，最大限度地减少对环境的影响，并为回旋加速器操作员提供额外的设施使用，同时对他们的日常操作产生最小的影响。