Photon energy absorption parameters for composite mixtures with boron compounds

Abstract

Boron compounds that are used in the manufacturing of a variety of products are introduced to the environment in the form of waste. The radiation shielding measurements of mixtures that contain boron compounds is considered to be a topic of concern. The mass attenuation coefficients of (PbO and K2B4O7 center dot 4H(2)O) and (PbO and H3BO3) as functions of their changing contents have been measured in the X-ray energy range from 25.191 to 57.903 key. These values are used to determine the effective atomic number of mixtures. The gamma-rays emitted from an Am-241 annular source have been sent to secondary sources whose characteristic X-rays have been used for transmission arrangement. The characteristic X-rays of the secondary sources have been counted by a Si(Li) detector with a resolution of 149 eV at 5.9 key. Also, the total effective atomic number of each mixture was determined by using the mixture rule. The measured values were compared with theoretically calculated values. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.