Thermo Fisher Scientific

  • Categories
    • Advancing Materials
    • Advancing Mining
    • AnalyteGuru
    • Analyzing Metals
    • Ask a Scientist
    • Behind the Bench
    • Biotech at Scale
    • Clinical Conversations
    • Examining Food
    • Identifying Threats
    • Illuminating Semiconductors
    • Life in the Lab
    • Life in Atomic Resolution
    • OEMpowered
    • The Connected Lab
  • About Us
  • Contact
Accelerating ScienceAdvancing Mining / Material Handling / Why Are PGNAA and PFTNA Technologies Used in Mining?

Why Are PGNAA and PFTNA Technologies Used in Mining?

Written by Alison Cestari | Published: 05.20.2021

Why Are PGNAA and PFTNA Technologies Used in Mining?Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) and Pulsed Fast Thermal Neutron Activation (PFTNA) are non-contact, non-destructive analytical techniques used in cross-belt analyzers and other online analysis systems to determine the elemental composition of bulk raw materials.

Cross-belt analyzers are used in minerals mining and processing because they provide continuous online analysis and monitoring of raw material composition, including grade and gangue composition, which is key to enabling real-time feedback and feed forward process decisions, to maximize resource utilization and metal recovery. 

Both PGNAA and PFTNA techniques are known collectively as neutron activation analysis and function by bombarding materials with neutrons. Neutrons interact with elements in the materials, which then emit secondary, prompt gamma rays that can be measured. Neutrons are highly penetrating and pass through and interact with materials (dense materials too) such as rock. The emitted gamma-rays are detected and an energy spectrum generated which can then be analyzed for elemental composition.

Each of the elements present in a sample produces a unique set of characteristic prompt gamma rays that are “fingerprints” for that specific element. The elements can be identified and their concentrations determined by analyzing the gamma ray spectrum.

Cross-belt analyzers are situated directly on the conveyor belt and penetrate the entire raw material cross-section, providing minute-by-minute, uniform measurement of the entire bulk material stream, not just a sub-sample. [Surface analysis technologies such as XRF, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and other spectral analysis technologies measure limited depths and surface areas that may not be representative of the entire amount of material on the belt.] With PGNAA, sample errors are reduced, and the high-frequency of analysis helps reduce variation in material quality.

We’ve outlined the two technologies in an easy-to-understand ebook, PGNAA and PFTNA technology for non-scientists. Download it to get an overview of the technologies and the applications in which they are used, as well as the types of products that utilize these technologies.

PGNAA and PFTNA analyzers are also used in cement, coal and sintering applications as well as other minerals applications such as copper, nickel and iron ore, etc., to help ensure consistent material quality and process optimization. Learn more about PGNAA technologies and how they are used in the resources below.

Resources:

  • Article: Considerations for PGNAA Cross-Belt Analyzers as a Bulk Ore Sorting Sensor
  • PGNAA/PFTNA Product Comparison Table
  • ebook, PGNAA and PFTNA technology for non-scientists

 

Share this article
FacebookLinkedinTwitterMail
Flammable liquid (such as oil, fuel or hydraulic) container with standard caution sign on the body part. It's using in heavy industry and oil field operation.

How to Safely Use a Process Raman Analyzer in a Hazardous Location

When your process takes place in a hazardous environment, pr... Janam Pandyaby / 07.22.2025

Read More
Antimony (Sb) mine, mining. Stibnite ore (antimonite, antimony trisulfide) background. Critical mineral, raw material. Metal used solder, bullets, plain bearings, alloys, lead-acid batteries

INFOGRAPHIC: 9 Fast Facts About Antimony

It’s a silvery, lustrous grey and a semi-metallic toxic el... Marlene Gasdia-Cochraneby / 07.15.2025

Read More
Computer as book eleaning concept - laptop with alphabet letters idea

Did You Miss Our Most Popular Articles? Here are our Top 5 Mining Articles This Year.

Here are the ten most read articles on this mining blog duri... by Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane / 12.18.2024

Read More
Shield design bundle element vector idea with creative modern style

What are the Largest Diamonds and How Are they Found?

In previous articles, we wrote about the January 1905 discov... Marlene Gasdia-Cochraneby / 08.23.2024

Read More
cement ebook

eBook: A Practical Guide to Improving Cement Manufacturing

Download Guide
Mining ebook

eBook: A Practical Guide to Improving Mining and Mineral Operations

Download Guide

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Gallium Has Become Critical
How to Improve Mining and Mineral Operations? Here’s a Guide.

Privacy StatementTerms & ConditionsLocationsSitemap

© 2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific. All Rights Reserved.

Talk to us

Notifications

Get news and research reviews on the topic of your choice, right in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

×
  • Tweet
  • Facebook
  • Tweet
  • Facebook