An earth formation traversed by a borehole is investigated. A borehole tool having a neutron source and a photon detector is located in the borehole and used to obtain photon scatter information in or about the borehole. A chemical element located in a region in or about the borehole is quantified by using the photon scatter information and at least two different spectral standards for that element.

A nondestructive inspection apparatus makes a neutron beam incident on an inspection target, detects a specific gamma ray deriving from a target component in the inspection target, among gamma rays generated by the neutron beam, and determines a depth at which the target component exists, based on a result of the detecting. The nondestructive inspection apparatus includes a neutron source that emits a neutron beam to a surface of the inspection target, a gamma ray detection device that detects, as detection intensities, intensities of a plurality of types of specific gamma rays whose energy differs from each other, and a ratio calculation unit that determines a ratio between the detection intensities of a plurality of types of the specific gamma rays.

A nondestructive inspection apparatus makes a neutron beam incident on an inspection target, detects a specific gamma ray deriving from a target component in the inspection target, among gamma rays generated by the neutron beam, and determines a depth at which the target component exists, based on a result of the detecting. The nondestructive inspection apparatus includes a neutron source that emits a neutron beam to a surface of the inspection target, a gamma ray detection device that detects, as detection intensities, intensities of a plurality of types of specific gamma rays whose energy differs from each other, and a ratio calculation unit that determines a ratio between the detection intensities of a plurality of types of the specific gamma rays.

Provided herein are neutron-based detection systems and methods that provide, for example, high throughput analysis of elemental analysis of scrap materials. Such systems and methods find use for the commercial-scale evaluation of bulk process materials where hazardous or otherwise undesirable materials or high value materials may be interspersed with the primary process material. In certain embodiments, the system is used to detect and potentially remove unexploded ordinance (UXO) from a conveyor of demilitarized shell casings being recycled by detecting the presence of nitrogen and other elements present in the UXO. In other embodiments, the system detects and removes unwanted or highly valuable materials from a stream of scrap material.

A method and apparatus that identify a composition of an object using a non-contact chemical sensor provided. The method includes detecting an object based on information provided by a plurality of sensors, transmitting a chemical detection signal, from a non-contact chemical sensor, at the detected object, identifying a composition of the detected object based on an attenuation of the chemical detection signal, determining whether a path change is required based on the identified composition of the detected object, and controlling one or more actuators to stop a vehicle or adjust the path of the vehicle if the path change is required.

A method and apparatus that identify a composition of an object using a non-contact chemical sensor provided. The method includes detecting an object based on information provided by a plurality of sensors, transmitting a chemical detection signal, from a non-contact chemical sensor, at the detected object, identifying a composition of the detected object based on an attenuation of the chemical detection signal, determining whether a path change is required based on the identified composition of the detected object, and controlling one or more actuators to stop a vehicle or adjust the path of the vehicle if the path change is required.

A system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a generator-detector configured to be attached to a pipe. The generator-detector is configured to measure the concentration of mercury in the pipe in a non-destructive manner. A method is also disclosed.

A system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a generator-detector configured to be attached to a pipe. The generator-detector is configured to measure the concentration of mercury in the pipe in a non-destructive manner. A method is also disclosed.

A method of capturing and analyzing information for a particle detection system comprises generating a reaction to a plurality of particles using a converter material, wherein the converter material is operable to interact with the plurality of particles. The method further comprises converting a response to the reaction to an electrical signal using a plurality of sensors, wherein the converter material is operable to be coated onto the plurality of sensors, and wherein each of the plurality of sensors comprises an array of discrete pixel sensors each with a respective (x,y) coordinate within the array. Further, the method comprises processing the electrical signal to generate data regarding each pixel on the array of discrete pixels and serializing the data collected from the plurality of sensors and transmitting the data over thin cables to a processing unit that is located at a separate and remote location from the plurality of sensors.

A method of capturing and analyzing information for a particle detection system comprises generating a reaction to a plurality of particles using a converter material, wherein the converter material is operable to interact with the plurality of particles. The method further comprises converting a response to the reaction to an electrical signal using a plurality of sensors, wherein the converter material is operable to be coated onto the plurality of sensors, and wherein each of the plurality of sensors comprises an array of discrete pixel sensors each with a respective (x,y) coordinate within the array. Further, the method comprises processing the electrical signal to generate data regarding each pixel on the array of discrete pixels and serializing the data collected from the plurality of sensors and transmitting the data over thin cables to a processing unit that is located at a separate and remote location from the plurality of sensors.