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Sulfur analysis in bulk samples using a DD portable neutron generator based PGNAA setup

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Abstract

Prompt gamma ray analysis of sulfur-contaminated soil samples was carried out using a Genie 16 DD portable neutron generator and a 12.7 cm × 12.7 cm (diameter × height) BGO detector. The minimum detectable concentration MDC ± \(\sigma_{\text{MDC}}\) was measured from soil samples containing 4.4, 7.1, 9.6, and 13.47 wt% sulfur using the 5.42 MeV sulfur capture gamma rays. The measured value of MDC ± \(\sigma_{\text{MDC}}\) for sulfur, which was 1.30 ± 0.40 wt%, is in good agreement with the corresponding values reported earlier with intense 252Cf source-based PGNAA setups.

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Acknowledgements

This work is a part of project # SR171019 funded by King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The support provided by the Department of Physics and Chemistry, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia is also acknowledged.

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Correspondence to T. Al-Abdullah.

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Al-Abdullah, T., Naqvi, A.A., Khiari, F.Z. et al. Sulfur analysis in bulk samples using a DD portable neutron generator based PGNAA setup. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 326, 555–561 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-020-07329-9

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