Multielement Neutron Activation Analysis of an Iron Ore

Multielement analysis of an iron ore from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was carried out using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. The samples were irradiated in the 100 KW Argonaut Reactor at VPI&SU. The irradiation procedure consisted of two irradiations and three gamma spectra measurements after a decay time ranging from 1.33 min to 10 days. The gamma spectra were recorded by two Ge(Li) detectors. The spectra were analysed by an off line computer program. The concentrations of the elements were calculated from the area under the specific gamma peak, activation data and the specific activity of the element. Twentyfive elements are observed to be present in the ore. The elements of major interest are, Fe, Al and Ca with 51.5%, 3.6% and 2.2% concentrations respectively.