A target for producing isotopes using the vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor.

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of isotope production using the vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor. Addressing the problems of inefficient isotope production using the vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor, and the simultaneous production of multiple isotopes, this invention provides a target for isotope production using the vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor. Several inner target tubes are arranged inside an outer target tube. The outer target tube has upper and lower end plugs at both ends. A metal wire is attached to the upper end plug to allow the target to enter or exit the reactor core through the vertical flux detector channel. The inner target tubes are loaded with at least one target material to produce at least one isotope. This invention has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture, and can achieve mass production of short-half-life medical isotopes such as lutetium-177, strontium-89, and holmium-166 using the vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of isotope production using vertical flux detector channels of heavy water reactors, and particularly to a target for isotope production using vertical flux detector channels of heavy water reactors. Background Technology

[0002] Isotopes are an indispensable and important means of improving people's health in both disease diagnosis and treatment. Medical isotopes can provide information on blood flow, function, and metabolism at the molecular level, enabling early diagnosis of lesions before morphological and structural changes have occurred. Medical isotopes can also use their radioactive killing properties to precisely remove small lesions, achieving better therapeutic effects.

[0003] Reactor irradiation is the primary method for producing medical isotopes. Short-lived isotopes constitute the majority of medical isotopes, with commonly used medical short-lived isotopes such as molybdenum-99, lutetium-177, yttrium-90, strontium-89, iodine-125, and iodine-131, as well as promising medical short-lived isotopes such as phosphorus-32, scandium-47, terbium-161, holmium-166, rhenium-186 / 188, and radium-223, all primarily produced through reactor irradiation.

[0004] While some of my country's research reactors can be used for the production and preparation of medical isotopes, factors such as capacity, beam aperture, and beam time limit the current domestic production of iodine-131 and strontium-89, which only meet 20% of the domestic demand, and lutetium-177, which meets only 5%. All other commonly used reactor-irradiated medical isotopes are imported. Furthermore, commercial reactors in my country with significant production potential have not yet commenced medical isotope production. Due to the limited availability of isotope raw materials, my country lags significantly behind Europe and the United States in the research and application of isotope-based drugs.

[0005] Commercial heavy water reactors possess advantages such as high neutron flux and stable operating time, demonstrating strong potential for medical isotope production. However, commercial heavy water reactors are not designed for short-half-life medical isotope production, and corresponding production channels and targets are not pre-designed. After thorough evaluation, it has been determined that although the vertical flux detector assembly of commercial heavy water reactors has a complex structure, it penetrates deep into the reactor core and, after modification, can serve as an isotope production channel. Therefore, to utilize this channel for isotope production, it is necessary to develop matching isotope production targets. Since the isotope production targets used in research reactors are specifically designed for the channel dimensions, core nuclear physics characteristics, and isotope production characteristics of each research reactor, the targets used in research reactors are unsuitable in terms of size and structure for the vertical flux detector channel of heavy water reactors.

[0006] Therefore, it is particularly necessary to develop production targets that match the channels of mobile flux detectors in heavy water reactors, so that commercial heavy water reactors can have the capability to produce short-half-life medical isotopes, provide a continuous and stable supply of short-half-life medical isotopes, promote the research and development and application of isotope drugs, and improve people's health. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The main objective of this invention is to provide a target for producing isotopes using the channel of a vertical flux detector in a heavy water reactor, thus solving the problem of not being able to produce isotopes using the channel of a vertical flux detector in a heavy water reactor.

[0008] Another objective of this invention is to provide a target for producing isotopes using the channel of a vertical flux detector in a heavy water reactor, thereby solving the problem of simultaneously producing multiple isotopes using the channel of a vertical flux detector in a heavy water reactor.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0010] A target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel in a heavy water reactor includes an outer target tube, several inner target tubes disposed within the outer target tube, a stop block disposed within the outer target tube, an upper end plug and a lower end plug disposed at both ends of the outer target tube, and a traction rope disposed on the upper end plug. The traction rope is a metal wire used to allow the target to enter the reactor core or be pulled out of the reactor core from the vertical flux detector channel in the heavy water reactor. The outer diameter of the outer target tube is less than or equal to 3 mm, and the several inner target tubes are loaded with at least one target material.

[0011] As one possible implementation, the inner target tube is a quartz tube or a quartz ball.

[0012] As one feasible method, the inner target tube is filled in the following ways: filling with quartz tubes of the same size individually; filling with quartz balls of the same size individually; mixing with quartz tubes of different sizes; mixing with quartz balls of different sizes; mixing with quartz tubes of the same size and quartz balls; mixing with quartz tubes of different sizes and quartz balls.

[0013] As one possible implementation, the quartz tube has a length of less than 1000 mm and an outer diameter of less than 2.5 mm.

[0014] As one possible implementation, the outer diameter of the quartz sphere is less than or equal to 2.5 mm.

[0015] As one feasible approach, the target material includes two types of target materials with the same main components but different single-element contents and different main components.

[0016] As one feasible approach, the target material comprises high-purity... 176 Yb2O3 powder,176 Lu2O3 powder 88 SrCO3 powder, Ho2O3 powder.

[0017] As one possible approach, the outer target tube is made of Inconel Nickel-600 alloy, Zirconium-4 alloy, Zirconium-2 alloy, or 6061 aluminum.

[0018] As one possible implementation, the upper end of the outer target tube is fixedly connected to the upper end plug, and the lower end of the outer target tube is fixedly connected to the lower end plug.

[0019] As one possible implementation, the upper plug and the lower plug are hemispherical or chamfered cylindrical to guide the target into and out of the heavy water reactor vertical flux detector channel.

[0020] As one possible implementation, the outer diameters of the upper plug and the lower plug are less than or equal to 3 mm.

[0021] As one possible approach, the upper plug and the lower plug are made of Inconel-600 alloy, zirconium-4 alloy, zirconium-2 alloy, or 6061 aluminum.

[0022] As one possible implementation, the stop includes an upper stop and a lower stop, the upper stop being disposed inside the outer target tube and abutting against the upper end plug, and the lower stop being disposed inside the outer target tube and abutting against the lower end plug, for pressing against the plurality of inner target tubes.

[0023] As one feasible approach, the upper plug and the lower plug are chamfered cylinders, the stop is an upper stop, and an upper stop is provided inside the outer target tube, thereby pressing several inner target tubes together by the upper stop and the lower plug.

[0024] As one possible implementation, the upper stop block is a combination structure of a disc and a cylinder, with the disc structure facing the inner target tube and the cylinder structure facing the upper plug.

[0025] As an implementable method, the outer diameter of the disk structure is less than or equal to 2.5 mm, and the length of the cylindrical structure is greater than 20 mm, so as to reserve cutting space when disassembling the target and prevent accidental damage to the inner target tube during cutting and disassembly.

[0026] As one feasible approach, the diameter of the traction rope is less than 3 mm and the length is greater than 10 meters.

[0027] As one possible approach, the traction rope is made of Inconel-600 alloy, zirconium-4 alloy, or zirconium-2 alloy.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the target for producing isotopes using the vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor provided by the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0029] This invention has a simple structure and is easy to process and manufacture. It can realize the mass production of medical short half-life isotopes such as lutetium-177, strontium-89, and holmium-166 using the channel of the vertical flux detector of a heavy water reactor.

[0030] The target provided by this invention adds an inner target tube inside the outer target tube, and loads the target material inside the inner target tube. By placing the target into the core of the heavy water reactor through the vertical flux detector channel, multiple short-half-life medical isotopes such as lutetium-177, strontium-89, and holmium-166 are generated by thermal neutron irradiation. This enables the mass production of multiple short-half-life medical isotopes, helps to solve the problem of insufficient production capacity of short-half-life medical isotopes, breaks through foreign technology blockade, and promotes the research and application of domestic radiopharmaceuticals.

[0031] The present invention provides cutting and disassembly space for the target by setting at least one stop, so that the inner target tube will not be broken and the target material will not be scattered when the target is disassembled.

[0032] The target provided by this invention has a simple structure and is a disposable target. Each time the target is manufactured, the length of the inner and outer target tubes is calculated based on the target material loading amount, and then the target is manufactured, thereby minimizing radioactive waste.

[0033] Furthermore, by improving the materials of each component in the target, the present invention ensures that the target does not affect the safe operation of the reactor during the process of entering and exiting the reactor.

[0034] Furthermore, by limiting the stiffness requirements of the traction rope and the shape and size of the outer target tube, the present invention ensures that the target can be smoothly inserted and removed within the bent and spiral channels.

[0035] Furthermore, the present invention achieves the grouping of different target materials by setting inner target tubes of various shapes and their various combinations of filling methods.

[0036] Furthermore, the lengths of the outer and inner target tubes of the present invention can be adjusted according to actual use, thus realizing that the overall size of the target can be adjusted according to the amount of target material loaded. Attached Figure Description

[0037] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the technical description will be briefly introduced below.

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor, provided by the present invention, with the same quartz tube mounted on it.

[0039] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of a target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor, provided by the present invention, with identical quartz spheres mounted on it.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor, provided by the present invention, with different quartz tubes and quartz spheres loaded.

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor, provided by the present invention, which is loaded with identical small-sized quartz spheres.

[0042] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0043] 1. Traction rope; 2. Outer target tube; 3. Upper end plug; 4. Upper stop block; 5. Inner target tube; 6. Target material; 7. Lower stop block; 8. Lower end plug. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The following detailed description provides further details on specific implementation methods.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, this invention provides a target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor. The target includes a traction rope 1, an outer target tube 2, end plugs, stoppers, an inner target tube 5, and a target material 6. The target material 6 is sealed and loaded inside the inner target tube 5. The end plugs include an upper end plug 3 and a lower end plug 8. The upper end plug 3 is installed at the upper end of the outer target tube 2, and the lower end plug 8 is installed at the lower end of the outer target tube 2. The upper and lower ends of the outer target tube 2 are sealed by the upper end plug 3 and the lower end plug 8. The stoppers include an upper stop block 4 and a lower stop block 7. The upper stop block 4 is disposed inside the outer target tube 2 and abuts against the upper end plug 3, and the lower stop block 7 is disposed inside the outer target tube 2 and abuts against the lower end plug 8.

[0046] Several inner target tubes 5 are arranged in a certain order or array inside the outer target tube 2, and are pressed together by the upper baffle 4 and the lower baffle 7 at both ends (e.g., Figures 1 to 3 (as shown), or by pressing several inner target tubes 5 together with the upper stop 4 and the lower end plug 8 (as shown). Figure 4 (as shown), or by pressing several inner target tubes 5 together with the lower stop 7 and the upper plug 3.

[0047] The traction rope 1 is connected to the upper plug 3 of the outer target tube 2. The traction rope 1 serves to connect the target and can push the target into the reactor core and pull the target out of the reactor core. It does not affect the safe operation of the reactor during the process of entering and leaving the reactor.

[0048] The traction rope 1 is a thin, long metal wire. The material of the traction rope 1 can be, for example, Inconel-600 alloy, Zirconium-4 alloy, or Zirconium-2 alloy, as long as it meets the requirement of not affecting the safe operation of the reactor during entry and exit. It should be noted that existing research reactor irradiation targets are mainly placed and removed using flexible ropes. However, the vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor has bends and helical structures (helical sections), making it impossible for flexible ropes to move the target to the designated placement position. The traction rope 1 provided by this invention, made of Inconel-600 alloy, Zirconium-4 alloy, or Zirconium-2 alloy, overcomes the shortcomings of flexible ropes, allowing the target to reach the designated placement position by passing through bends and helical structures.

[0049] The stiffness requirement of traction rope 1: Take a traction rope 1 with a length of 20cm, place the traction rope 1 vertically, load 800g of weight on the upper end of the traction rope 1, and if the maximum bending amplitude of the traction rope 1 does not exceed 2cm, then this traction rope 1 meets the stiffness requirement for target insertion and extraction.

[0050] When the traction rope 1 is applied to the target, the diameter of the traction rope 1 is less than 3mm and the length is greater than 10 meters, so as to meet the length and thickness requirements of the target insertion and extraction.

[0051] Preferably, the traction rope 1 is fixedly connected to the upper plug 3, for example, the traction rope 1 and the upper plug 3 are integrally formed, welded, or connected by a snap-fit.

[0052] The outer target tube 2 is used to load and protect the inner target tube 5. The outer target tube 2 can pass smoothly through the vertical flux detector channel with an inner diameter of 3.4 mm and a bend and spiral structure, and does not affect the safe operation of the reactor during the process of entering and exiting the reactor.

[0053] The material of the outer target tube 2 can be selected from Inconel-600 alloy, zirconium-4 alloy, zirconium-2 alloy, or 6061 aluminum, as long as it meets the requirement that it will not affect the safe operation of the reactor during entry and exit from the reactor. The selection of the above materials for the outer target tube 2 can reduce the impact of target material on the neutron flux of the reactor. The material of the outer target tube 2 is a commonly used material in heavy water reactors.

[0054] The outer target tube 2 is a slender metal tube with an outer diameter of 3 mm or less and a length of less than 1000 mm, to meet the loading requirements for loading and protecting the inner target tube 5. The size of the outer target tube 2 is set according to production needs, as long as it can smoothly pass through the moving flux detector channel with an inner diameter of 3.4 mm and a bend and helical structure. It should be noted that existing research reactor targets are mainly designed for the channel structure and size of research reactors. However, the irradiation channel structure and size of research reactors are different from the channels with bends and helical structures in heavy water reactor vertical flux detector components. Therefore, the diameter, length, and other dimensions and structural forms of research reactor targets are not suitable for heavy water reactor vertical flux detector channels.

[0055] The upper end of the outer target tube 2 is fixedly connected to the upper plug 3, and the lower end of the outer target tube 2 is also fixedly connected to the lower plug 8, for example, by integral molding, welding, threaded connection or snap-fit ​​connection.

[0056] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, several inner target tubes 5 are installed inside the outer target tube 2. Different target materials 6 are loaded into the inner target tubes 5, and the target materials 6 are assembled into different inner target tubes 5. The size of the inner target tubes 5 is adjusted according to the production requirements. The inner target tubes 5 will not react with the target materials 6, nor will they introduce impurities into the target materials 6. The safe operation of the reactor will not be affected during the process of entering and leaving the reactor.

[0057] Different targets include two forms: those with the same main components but different single-element contents, and those with different main components. Loading different targets also includes two forms: first, one target is loaded with one type of target material, and only one type of target is irradiated in a single irradiation, but the target materials used in consecutive irradiations are different; second, one target is loaded with multiple types of targets, and multiple targets are irradiated in a single irradiation. When one target is loaded with one type of target material, they are irradiated separately, and the targets will not interfere with each other. When one target is loaded with multiple types of targets, different shapes or sizes of inner target tubes 5 are used to load the multiple targets separately, using the external dimensions of the inner target tubes 5 for isolation and differentiation, and they will not interfere with each other during irradiation.

[0058] The target length can be adjusted according to production requirements. Within the maximum diameter and length range of the target, it can smoothly pass through the bends and helical sections of the heavy water reactor vertical flux detector channel. For example, the maximum target size corresponding to the heavy water reactor vertical flux detector channel is set as follows: diameter 3mm and length 1000mm.

[0059] Preferably, the target material is encapsulated using a quartz inner target tube, isolating it from contact with the metal outer target tube to prevent reaction between them. This also prevents impurities from the outer target tube or those accidentally introduced during encapsulation from entering the target material. The target introduces negative reactivity into the reactor when it enters, and positive reactivity when it leaves the reactor.

[0060] The calculation method for the target material loading is as follows: In order to ensure that the reactivity fluctuations are within the control range of the reactor, a material with a small neutron absorption cross section is first used as the target material. Then, the corresponding target material loading is calculated according to the capacity of the reactor control system. Then, an appropriate amount of target material is loaded into the target to ensure that the safe operation of the reactor is not affected during the process of entering and leaving the reactor.

[0061] The inner target tube 5 is made of high-purity quartz to ensure that the inner target tube 5 will not react with the target material 6, nor will it introduce impurities into the target material 6, so as not to affect the safe operation of the reactor during the process of entering and leaving the reactor.

[0062] In one embodiment, the inner target tube 5 is a quartz tube with a length less than 1000 mm and an outer diameter less than 2.5 mm. In another embodiment, the inner target tube 5 is a quartz sphere with an outer diameter less than or equal to 2.5 mm. Through these two embodiments or combinations, one or more inner target tubes 5 are loaded inside an outer target tube 2, and the target material 6 is sealed inside. Furthermore, the size of the inner target tube 5 can be adjusted according to production requirements.

[0063] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the inner target tube 5 can be filled in the following ways: individually using quartz tubes of the same size; individually using quartz balls of the same size; or mixed using quartz tubes of different sizes; or mixed using quartz balls of different sizes; or mixed using quartz tubes and quartz balls of the same size; or mixed using quartz tubes and quartz balls of different sizes. These multiple filling methods can meet the requirements of loading different target materials and grouping the target materials. Specifically, during the filling process of the inner target tube 5, the inner target tubes 5 loaded with different target materials 6 are first grouped, and then the inner target tubes 5 are loaded into the outer target tube 2 one by one according to the group.

[0064] like Figure 1 As shown, the upper stop 4 and the lower stop 7 are used to fix the inner target tube 5, providing cutting space for target disassembly and preventing accidental damage to the inner target tube 5 during cutting and disassembly. The upper stop 4 and the lower stop 7 do not affect the safe operation of the reactor during entry and exit from the reactor.

[0065] The upper stop block 4 and the lower stop block 7 can be made of Inconel-600 alloy, zirconium-4 alloy, zirconium-2 alloy, or 6061 aluminum, as long as they meet the requirement of not affecting the safe operation of the reactor during entry and exit. The upper stop block 4 and the lower stop block 7 have the same external dimensions; the following description uses the upper stop block 4 as an example. The upper stop block 4 is a combination structure of a disc and a cylinder, with the disc structure facing the inner target tube 5 and the cylindrical structure facing the upper end plug 3. When installing the upper stop block 4, the cylindrical structure of the upper stop block 4 abuts against the upper end plug 3, and the disc structure abuts against the inner target tube 5. The outer diameter of the disc structure is less than or equal to 2.5 mm, and the length of the cylindrical structure is greater than 20 mm, to allow for cutting space during target disassembly and to prevent accidental damage to the inner target tube 5 during cutting and disassembly. Optionally, the upper stop block 4 can adopt an umbrella-shaped structure.

[0066] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the structural form and disassembly method of the target provided by the present invention determine that the target must reserve cutting space. If the cutting space is not reserved, the inner target tube 5 will be broken during the disassembly of the target, causing the target material to scatter. Therefore, at least one stop (usually the upper stop 4) is set in the target.

[0067] like Figure 1As shown, the upper plug 3 and the lower plug 8 are used to block the outer target tube 2, and also to press the upper baffle 4 and the lower baffle 7. At the same time, they provide guidance for the target to enter and exit the irradiation channel, so as not to affect the safe operation of the reactor during the process of entering and exiting the reactor.

[0068] The materials for the upper plug 3 and the lower plug 8 can be Inconel-600 alloy, zirconium-4 alloy, zirconium-2 alloy, or 6061 aluminum, as long as they meet the requirement that the safe operation of the reactor is not affected during the process of entering and exiting the reactor.

[0069] The upper plug 3 and the lower plug 8 have the same external dimensions. The following description uses the upper plug 3 as an example. The upper plug 3 is hemispherical or chamfered cylindrical with an outer diameter of less than or equal to 3 mm, providing guidance for the target to enter and exit the irradiation channel. The upper plug 3 is fixedly connected to the outer target tube 2, for example, by means of integral molding, welding, or threaded connection, to seal the outer target tube 2 and press the upper stop 4.

[0070] Preferably, such as Figure 4 As shown, both the upper plug 3 and the lower plug 8 are chamfered cylinders and only one upper stop 4 is provided (the lower stop 7 is removed) to increase the target material loading.

[0071] The target material 6 does not affect the safe operation of the reactor during its entry and exit from the reactor, does not react with quartz, is easy to install into the inner target tube 5, and can produce various short-half-life isotopes. For example, high-purity targets 6 can be selected. 176 Yb2O3 powder or 176 Lu2O3 powder or 88 SrCO3 powder or Ho2O3 powder.

[0072] In addition, the present invention also provides a method for loading the above-mentioned target, including the following steps (in order to... Figure 1 For example:

[0073] Step 1: Place the inner target tube 5 and the target material 6 in an inert gas atmosphere to reduce the amount of air entering the inner target tube 5;

[0074] Step 2: Load the target material 6 into the inner target tube 5, that is, put the target material 6 into the inner target tube 5 from the opening of the inner target tube 5;

[0075] Step 3: Sinter the opening of the inner target tube 5 to seal it, and mark it at the same time to complete the sealing of the target material 6 and mark the inner target tube 5;

[0076] Step 4: Connect the outer target tube 2 to the upper plug 3 to form a round tube with one end open;

[0077] Step 5: Place the upper stop block 4 into the outer target tube 2, so that the cylindrical structure of the upper stop block 4 faces upward (towards the upper end plug 3);

[0078] Step 6: Insert a predetermined number of marked inner target tubes 5 into the outer target tube 2 according to a preset method, and complete the filling of the inner target tubes 5 according to the preset grouping scheme.

[0079] Step 7: Install the lower stop 7 inside the outer target tube 2, with the disc structure of the lower stop 7 facing upward (towards the inner target tube 5);

[0080] Step 8: After pressing the lower end plug 8 against the lower stop block 7, place it in an inert gas atmosphere to seal it, thus completing the target sealing and reducing the air inside the target.

[0081] As another implementation method Figure 4 The filling method differs from the above method in that it uses a chamfered cylindrical lower end plug 8, eliminating the need for a lower stop block 7.

[0082] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the filling method used is the individual filling method of the inner target tube 5 of the same size, which is suitable for mass production of the same isotope.

[0083] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the different shapes of the inner target tube 5 mainly depend on the manufacturing process of the inner target tube 5 and the target material packaging process. The optimal shape is selected based on the manufacturing process and the packaging requirements of different target materials.

[0084] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the size of the inner target tube 5 varies depending on the packaging requirements after the target material is irradiated. The appropriate inner target tube size is selected according to the isotope processing method after irradiation for target material packaging, which facilitates the subsequent reasonable grouping and processing of isotope products.

[0085] The different shapes and sizes of the inner target tubes 5 are mainly used to distinguish the types of target materials and mark the irradiation positions of the target materials. Usually, because the target is relatively long, the difference in neutron flux between the top and bottom of the target is large, so inner target tubes 5 of different shapes and sizes can be used to mark the irradiation positions of the target materials.

[0086] like Figure 3 As shown, the inner target tube 5 has various shapes and sizes, suitable for grouping different target materials. Multiple target materials can be irradiated within a single target, allowing for comparison of the effects of irradiating different target materials to produce the same isotope, and also enabling the simultaneous irradiation to produce multiple isotopes. This invention enables the production of different isotopes by placing different target materials (i.e., at least two target materials 6 are loaded into different inner target tubes 5 or into inner target tubes 5 of the same structure) within a single target. For example, [the invention could be used to] place different target materials within a single target (i.e., at least two target materials 6 are loaded into different inner target tubes 5 or into inner target tubes 5 of the same structure). 89 Y2O3 and 176Yb2O3 is installed in different inner target tubes 5, and then the two types of inner target tubes 5 are installed into the same target, so that yttrium-90 and lutetium-177 can be produced simultaneously.

[0087] Therefore, this invention is suitable for irradiating the core of commercial heavy water reactors, providing a new method for producing short-half-life isotopes through irradiation in commercial heavy water reactors; this invention can complete the insertion of the target into the reactor core, target irradiation, and target recovery while the commercial heavy water reactor is operating at full power; the target can smoothly pass through a 3.4mm inner diameter moving flux detector channel with a bend and helical structure; the target can enter and exit the core while the reactor is operating at full power, with the impact on the reactor within safe limits and the radiation dose to personnel within nuclear power plant management limits; the target can be loaded with various target materials to produce various short-half-life isotopes; the length of the target can be adjusted according to production requirements; and the target can be grouped according to the shape and size of the inner target tube during target loading.

[0088] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor, characterized in that, The device includes an outer target tube (2), several inner target tubes (5) disposed within the outer target tube (2), a stop block disposed within the outer target tube (2), an upper end plug (3) and a lower end plug (8) disposed at both ends of the outer target tube (2), and a traction rope (1) disposed on the upper end plug (3). The traction rope (1) is a metal wire that allows the target to enter the reactor core or be pulled out of the reactor core from the vertical flux detector channel of the heavy water reactor. The outer diameter of the outer target tube (2) is less than or equal to 3 mm, and the several inner target tubes (5) are loaded with at least one target material (6).

2. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner target tube (5) is a quartz tube or a quartz ball.

3. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The filling methods of the inner target tube (5) include: filling with quartz tubes of the same size alone; filling with quartz balls of the same size alone; mixing with quartz tubes of different sizes; mixing with quartz balls of different sizes; mixing with quartz tubes of the same size and quartz balls of the same size; and mixing with quartz tubes of different sizes and quartz balls.

4. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The quartz tube is less than 1000 mm in length and less than 2.5 mm in outer diameter.

5. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the quartz ball is less than or equal to 2.5 mm.

6. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The target material (6) includes two types of target materials with the same main components but different single element contents and different main components.

7. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that, The target material (6) includes high purity 176 Yb2O3 powder, 176 Lu2O3 powder 88 SrCO3 powder, Ho2O3 powder.

8. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material of the outer target tube (2) is one of Inconel Nickel-600 alloy, Zirconium-4 alloy, Zirconium-2 alloy, or 6061 aluminum.

9. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper end of the outer target tube (2) is fixedly connected to the upper end plug (3), and the lower end of the outer target tube (2) is fixedly connected to the lower end plug (8).

10. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper plug (3) and the lower plug (8) are hemispherical or chamfered cylindrical, used to guide the target into and out of the heavy water reactor vertical flux detector channel.

11. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 10, characterized in that, The outer diameters of the upper plug (3) and the lower plug (8) are less than or equal to 3 mm.

12. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The upper plug (3) and the lower plug (8) are made of one of the following materials: Inconel-600 alloy, zirconium-4 alloy, zirconium-2 alloy, and 6061 aluminum.

13. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stop includes an upper stop (4) and a lower stop (7). The upper stop (4) is disposed inside the outer target tube (2) and abuts against the upper end plug (3). The lower stop (7) is disposed inside the outer target tube (2) and abuts against the lower end plug (8) to press against several inner target tubes (5).

14. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper plug (3) and the lower plug (8) are chamfered cylinders. The stop is an upper stop (4). The upper stop (4) is provided inside the outer target tube (2). The upper stop (4) and the lower plug (8) press several inner target tubes (5) together.

15. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The upper stop block (4) is a combination structure of a disc and a cylinder, with the disc structure facing the inner target tube (5) and the cylinder structure facing the upper end plug (3).

16. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 15, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the disc structure is less than or equal to 2.5 mm, and the length of the cylindrical structure is greater than 20 mm, so as to reserve cutting space when disassembling the target and prevent accidental damage to the inner target tube (5) during cutting and disassembly.

17. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the traction rope (1) is less than 3 mm and the length is greater than 10 meters.

18. The target for producing isotopes using a vertical flux detector channel of a heavy water reactor according to claim 1 or 17, characterized in that, The traction rope (1) is made of one of the following materials: Inconel-600 alloy, Zirconium-4 alloy, or Zirconium-2 alloy.

Images