System and process for production and collection of radioisotopes

    公开(公告)号:US11200996B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-12-14

    申请号:US16380092

    申请日:2019-04-10

    发明人: Michael D. Heibel

    摘要: A means for installing material, through a fuel assembly instrument thimble insert, into the existing instrument thimbles in nuclear fuel assemblies for the purpose of allowing the material to be converted to commercially valuable quantities of desired radioisotopes during reactor power operations during a remainder of a fuel cycle and removing the radioisotopes from the core through the reactor flange opening once the fuel assemblies have been removed for refueling. The invention also describes methods that can be used to harvest the irradiated material so it can be packaged for transportation from the reactor to a location where the desired radioisotope(s) can be extracted from the fuel assembly instrument thimble insert.

    Irradiation target processing system

    公开(公告)号:US10559391B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-02-11

    申请号:US15549234

    申请日:2016-01-18

    申请人: Framatome GmbH

    IPC分类号: G21G1/02 G21C23/00 G21C1/30

    摘要: An irradiation target processing system for insertion and retrieving irradiation targets into and from an instrumentation tube in a nuclear reactor core comprises, a target retrieving system, target insertion system and transport gas supply system, mounted on a movable support, wherein: the target retrieving system comprises a target exit port coupled to a target storage container and exhaust system; the target insertion system comprises a target filling device, target retention tubing with target supply junction connectable to the instrumentation tube, and a target diverter coupled to the target filling device, target retention tubing and target retrieving system; and the transport gas supply system comprises a first gas supply tubing coupled to the exit port of the target retrieving system, a second gas supply tubing coupled to a junction for supplying gas to the instrumentation tube, and a transport gas supply junction coupled to the first and second gas supply tubing.

    IRRADIATION TARGET HOLDERS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME IN A NUCLEAR REACTOR STARTUP SOURCE HOLDER POSITION

    公开(公告)号:US20180374596A1

    公开(公告)日:2018-12-27

    申请号:US16011560

    申请日:2018-06-18

    IPC分类号: G21G1/02 G21C3/32 G21C23/00

    摘要: Irradiation target holders are configured to fit in open locations inside of an operating commercial nuclear core. Holders can be placed with ends at vertical bottom and top of the core or any position therebetween to directly expose holders to nuclear fuel reactions. Holders have ends and overall shape that can join with existing reactor structures, while fitting closely with fuel and moderator and being easily removable from the same. Holders are fabricated of any reactor-compatible material that will retain irradiation targets and daughter products. Holders securely retain irradiation targets and daughter products of any shape or phase throughout reactor operation. Holders can be installed during reactor outages and irradiated during operation without risk of movement or interference with operation. After a desired period of operation and irradiation, holders can be harvested from the core independent of other core structures and fuel.

    Systems and methods for retaining and removing irradiation targets in a nuclear reactor
    5.
    发明授权
    Systems and methods for retaining and removing irradiation targets in a nuclear reactor 有权
    用于在核反应堆中保留和去除辐射目标的系统和方法

    公开(公告)号:US09208909B2

    公开(公告)日:2015-12-08

    申请号:US13710090

    申请日:2012-12-10

    摘要: A retainer is placed on a conduit to control movement of objects within the conduit in access-restricted areas. Retainers can prevent or allow movement in the conduit in a discriminatory fashion. A fork with variable-spacing between prongs can be a retainer and be extended or collapsed with respect to the conduit to change the size of the conduit. Different objects of different sizes may thus react to the fork differently, some passing and some being blocked. Retainers can be installed in inaccessible areas and allow selective movement in remote portions of conduit where users cannot directly interface, including below nuclear reactors. Position detectors can monitor the movement of objects through the conduit remotely as well, permitting engagement of a desired level of restriction and object movement. Retainers are useable in a variety of nuclear power plants and with irradiation target delivery, harvesting, driving, and other remote handling or robotic systems.

    摘要翻译: 保持器被放置在管道上以控制通道限制区域内的管道内的物体的移动。 保持器可以以歧视的方式防止或允许在导管中移动。 叉子之间具有可变间距的叉可以是保持器,并且相对于导管延伸或折叠以改变导管的尺寸。 因此,不同尺寸的不同物体可能会对叉子产生不同的反应,一些通过和一些被阻挡。 保持器可以安装在不可接近的区域,并允许选择性地移动在导管的偏远部分,用户不能直接接触,包括下面的核反应堆。 位置检测器还可以远程监控物体通过导管的运动,从而允许接合所需的限制水平和物体运动。 保持器可用于各种核电站,并可用于辐射目标传送,收割,驾驶和其他远程处理或机器人系统。

    Methods and apparatuses for producing isotopes in nuclear fuel assembly water rods
    6.
    发明授权
    Methods and apparatuses for producing isotopes in nuclear fuel assembly water rods 失效
    在核燃料组装水棒中生产同位素的方法和装置

    公开(公告)号:US08638899B2

    公开(公告)日:2014-01-28

    申请号:US12458531

    申请日:2009-07-15

    IPC分类号: G21C23/00

    CPC分类号: G21G1/02

    摘要: Example embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for generating desired isotopes within water rods of nuclear fuel assemblies. Example methods may include selecting a desired irradiation target based on the target's properties, loading the target into a target rod based on irradiation target and fuel assembly properties, exposing the target rod to neutron flux, and/or harvesting isotopes produced from the irradiation target from the target rod. Example embodiment target rods may house one or more irradiation targets of varying types and phases. Example embodiment securing devices include a ledge collar and/or bushing that support target rods within a water rod and permit moderator/coolant flow through the water rod. Other example embodiment securing devices include one or more washers with one or more apertures drilled therein to hold one or more example embodiment target rods in a water rod while permitting coolant/moderator to flow through the water rod.

    摘要翻译: 示例性实施例涉及用于在核燃料组件的水棒内产生期望的同位素的方法和装置。 示例性方法可以包括基于目标的性质选择所需的照射目标,基于照射目标和燃料组装性质将靶装载到目标棒中,将靶棒暴露于中子通量,和/或从辐射靶产生的同位素收获 目标杆。 示例性实施例,靶杆可容纳不同类型和相位的一个或多个照射靶。 示例性实施例固定装置包括支撑水杆中的目标杆并允许调节剂/冷却剂流过水杆的凸缘轴环和/或套管。 其他示例性实施例的固定装置包括一个或多个垫圈,其中钻有一个或多个孔,以将一个或多个示例性实施例的杆杆保持在水杆中,同时允许冷却剂/调节剂流过水杆。

    Method and system for early sensing of water leakage, through chemical concentration monitoring, in nuclear reactor system using liquid metal and molten salt
    7.
    发明授权
    Method and system for early sensing of water leakage, through chemical concentration monitoring, in nuclear reactor system using liquid metal and molten salt 有权
    通过化学浓度监测,在使用液态金属和熔融盐的核反应堆系统中,早期发现漏水的方法和系统

    公开(公告)号:US07885370B2

    公开(公告)日:2011-02-08

    申请号:US11890985

    申请日:2007-08-08

    IPC分类号: G21C17/00 G21C23/00

    摘要: A method of early sensing of water leakage, through chemical concentration monitoring, in a nuclear reactor system using a liquid metal and molten salt, the method including: measuring an electrical conductivity and a mass spectrum of a first channel and a second channel of a heat-related device included in the nuclear reactor system using the liquid metal and the molten salt; calculating a first identification value associated with the water leakage in the heat-related device using the measured electrical conductivity; calculating a second identification value associated with the water leakage in the heat-related device using the measured mass spectrum; and sensing the water leakage by comparing a predetermined reference value and a summed identification value, the summed identification value being the sum of the first identification value and the second identification value.

    摘要翻译: 一种利用液态金属和熔盐在核反应堆系统中通过化学浓度监测来早期感测漏水的方法,该方法包括:测量第一通道和第二通道的热导率和质谱 包括在使用液态金属和熔融盐的核反应堆系统中的相关装置; 使用测量的电导率计算与热相关装置中的漏水相关联的第一识别值; 使用测量的质谱计算与热相关装置中的漏水相关联的第二识别值; 以及通过将预定参考值和相加的识别值进行比较来感测漏水,所述总和识别值是所述第一识别值和所述第二识别值之和。

    Nuclear reactor internals alignment configuration
    8.
    发明授权
    Nuclear reactor internals alignment configuration 有权
    核反应堆内部对准配置

    公开(公告)号:US07616728B2

    公开(公告)日:2009-11-10

    申请号:US11844614

    申请日:2007-08-24

    摘要: An alignment system that employs jacking block assemblies and alignment posts around the periphery of the top plate of a nuclear reactor lower internals core shroud to align an upper core plate with the lower internals and the core shroud with the core barrel. The distal ends of the alignment posts are chamfered and are closely received within notches machined in the upper core plate at spaced locations around the outer circumference of the upper core plate. The jacking block assemblies are used to center the core shroud in the core barrel and the alignment posts assure the proper orientation of the upper core plate. The alignment posts may alternately be formed in the upper core plate and the notches may be formed in top plate.

    摘要翻译: 一种对准系统,其采用起重块组件和对准柱,其围绕核反应堆下部内部核心护罩的顶板的周边,以使上部芯板与下部内部件和芯部护罩与芯筒对准。 对准柱的远端被倒角,并且在围绕上芯板的外周的间隔位置处紧密地接收在加工在上芯板中的凹口内。 起重块组件用于将芯护罩定位在芯筒中,并且对准柱确保上芯板的正确定向。 对准柱可以替代地形成在上芯板中,并且凹口可以形成在顶板中。

    Irradiator and method of using irradiator to irradiate

    公开(公告)号:US4760264A

    公开(公告)日:1988-07-26

    申请号:US819254

    申请日:1986-01-16

    摘要: An irradiator which can be incorporated within a packing house and a method of irradiating food in the packing house are disclosed. Food products are placed on spaced baskets and conveyed into an enclosure, through a irradiation chamber, and then outwardly from the enclosure. The food products are conveyed through tortuously arranged ductwork which serves to absorb radiation streaming upwardly. The radiation source is maintained underwater both during operation and shutdown, and no lifting of the radiation source is thus required. A portion of the conveyor is positioned within one or more casings and can be withdrawn, if necessary, to facilitate maintenance and repair.