System and method for harvesting activated irradiation targets from nuclear reactor and radionuclide generation system

A nuclear reactor and irradiation technology, applied in the transformation, reactor, nuclear engineering and other directions of nuclear reactors, can solve problems such as being too expensive, achieve simple costs, minimize exposure to radioactivity, and be easy to manually perform.

Active Publication Date: 2018-03-27
FRAMATOME ANP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

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Problems solved by technology

It would also be too expensive to provide additional water locks in the reactor shell for handling activated targets and shielded containers

Method used

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  • System and method for harvesting activated irradiation targets from nuclear reactor and radionuclide generation system
  • System and method for harvesting activated irradiation targets from nuclear reactor and radionuclide generation system
  • System and method for harvesting activated irradiation targets from nuclear reactor and radionuclide generation system

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Embodiment Construction

[0049] The present invention contemplates that commercial nuclear reactors may be used to produce radionuclides. In particular, conventional pneumatic pellet measurement systems or other instrumentation tube systems of commercial reactors may be modified and / or supplemented to enable effective and efficient production of radionuclides.

[0050] Instrumentation tubes such as commercial pneumatic pellet measurement systems or transportable in-core probe (TIP) systems are used to direct irradiated targets into the reactor core and to guide activated irradiated targets out of the reactor core. Target activation is optimized by positioning the irradiated target in a predetermined region of the reactor core with a neutron flux sufficient to completely convert the parent material in the irradiated target to the desired radionuclide.

[0051] Proper positioning of irradiated targets can be achieved by dummy targets made of inert material and ordering dummy and irradiated targets in th...

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Abstract

A method for harvesting activated irradiation targets (16) from an instrumentation tube system (12) of a nuclear reactor comprises the steps of: coupling the instrumentation tube system (12) to a discharge tube (38) having an apex (50), an exit port (40) and a lock element (44) between the apex (50) and the exit port (40); passing the activated irradiation targets (16) from the instrumentation tube system (12) into the discharge tube (38) and blocking movement of the activated irradiation targets (16) out of the discharge tube (38) by means of the lock element (44); separating a predefined quantity (16') of the activated irradiated targets (16) from another quantity (16") of the targets (16) in the discharge tube (38); coupling the exit port (40) to a storage container (42) and releasing the lock element (44) to pass the predefined quantity (16') of the activated irradiation targets (16) under action of gravity into the storage container (42), wherein the separating step comprises passing the predefined quantity (16') of the activated irradiation targets (16) over the apex (50) and retaining the other quantity (16") of the targets (16) in the discharge tube (38) by means of the apex (50). Systems for generating radionuclides and harvesting activated irradiation targets adapted to the above method are also provided.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for harvesting activated irradiated targets from a nuclear reactor, and a radionuclide generation system configured to generate radionuclides from irradiated targets inserted into instrument fingers within the core of a commercial nuclear reactor . Background technique [0002] Radionuclides are used in various technical and scientific fields and also for medical purposes. Typically, radionuclides are produced in research reactors or cyclotrons. As the number of commercial production facilities for radionuclides is limited and expected to decrease, alternative production sites need to be provided. [0003] EP 2 093 773 A2 proposes that during normal operation of a commercial nuclear reactor, the existing instrumentation tube system conventionally used to house neutron detectors can be used to produce radionuclides. In particular, spherical irradiation targets are pushed linearly into and removed f...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): G21G1/02
CPCG21G1/02Y02E30/30G21C23/00
Inventor 托马斯·法比安·里希特亚历山大·西科拉威尔弗里德·坎南维斯切尔蕾拉·加法尔
Owner FRAMATOME ANP
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