Neutron activation analysis of aluminium with an Am---Be neturon source-application for Bauxite investigation in Nigeria

A 5 Ci Am---Be neutron source was used for the rapid routine determination of Al in bauxite ores from Nigeria. The source is thermalised with paraffin wax in a cylindrical shape with six irradiation positions. The evaluation is based on the 27Al(n,γ)28 Al reaction with major interference from 28Si(n,p)28Al, which was corrected with the thermal/fast neutron flux ratio of the irradiation holes. 12 bauxite samples including a reference material were analysed in this manner. Samples were found to have concentrations in the range of 10–48%. The method is rapid and precise and can be adopted for routine determination of Al in bauxitic clay samples.