Standardization of NIRR-1 irradiation and counting facilities for instrumental neutron activation analysis

The first nuclear reactor in Nigeria, the Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1), is a Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR). It was specifically acquired for elemental analysis by the neutron activation analysis (NAA) technique. In this work, routine experimental schemes for the determination of over 30 elements of interest in different sample matrices have been developed. In order to validate the experimental procedures the following standard reference materials, IAEA-359 (Cabbage), IAEA-336 (Lichen), GSR-5 and GSD-11 (Chinese Geochemical Rock Standards), as well as IAEA-SL-3 and IAEA-405 (Sediments) were analyzed. Validated results are presented for the following elements Al, As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Eu, Fe, Ga, Hf, In, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, Ti, U, V, Yb and Zn. To further assess analytical capabilities of the facilities, the detection limits are presented.