Estimation of particle size distribution in Athabasca oil sands by indirect instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was used to predict the rel ative amounts of various sizes of fine particles in Athabasca oil sands. Th e method is based on regression analysis of element concentration data for 529 oil sand test portions, determined by INAA, against particle size distr ibutions determined by three currently used methods. The most important ele ments for the estimation of particle sizes below 44 mu m were found to be a luminum, sodium, and manganese. The INAA estimation method works because va riation in elemental composition within particle size fractions in oil sand s up to at least 44 mu m is relatively small, whereas the variation between size fractions is significant. The new method does not involve the use of organic solvents, is faster and simpler to perform than the methods current ly in use, and is comparable in precision. It has the added advantages that it can be readily automated, and concentrations of elements of special int erest in oil sand processing, such as chlorine, are obtained simultaneously .