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Prompt gamma neutron activation analysis of a 200 L steel drum homogeneously filled with concrete

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Abstract

In order to determine nonradioactive substances in radioactive waste packages an innovative method based on prompt gamma neutron activation analysis was developed. The methodology was verified through the analysis of a 200 L steel drum homogeneously filled with concrete. The results obtained for the elemental composition of concrete are in good agreement with the expected values, the differences lying between −9 and +5 %. The limits of detection for the toxic elements cadmium and mercury are 4 and 145 mg/kg, respectively for an assay time of 2000s.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Waste Management and Reactor Safety, Institute of Energy and Climate Research, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany

    Eric Mauerhofer

  2. Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Technology Transfer, RWTH Aachen University, Elisabethstrasse 16, 52062, Aachen, Germany

    Andreas Havenith & John Kettler

Authors
  1. Eric Mauerhofer
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  2. Andreas Havenith
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  3. John Kettler
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Correspondence to Eric Mauerhofer.

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Mauerhofer, E., Havenith, A. & Kettler, J. Prompt gamma neutron activation analysis of a 200 L steel drum homogeneously filled with concrete. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 309, 273–278 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4768-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4768-7

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