A method for producing radioactive isotopes in the core of an advanced high-temperature reactor using spherical targets.

By using spherical targets in the core of an advanced high-temperature reactor for neutron irradiation and cycle management, the problem of inefficient production of radioactive isotopes in existing technologies has been solved, enabling mass production within the reactor core and cost-effective application of strategic isotopes, thus forming a specialized nuclear reactor technology.

CN121034695BActive Publication Date: 2026-06-02HUANENG POWER INT INC +1
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202511130037.0
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-08-13
Publication Date
2026-06-02
Estimated Expiration
2045-08-13

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Currently, there is no mature technology for producing radioactive isotopes using advanced high-temperature reactors. Existing technologies mainly rely on neutron irradiation channels or fuel-related components in nuclear reactors, which cannot efficiently produce radioactive isotopes in large quantities.

Method used

A spherical target is used to irradiate the core of an advanced high-temperature reactor. The mixture of the spherical target and fuel element is loaded through a fuel loading and unloading system. The number of cycles is determined based on the radioactive isotope yield. The burnup measurement system is used to identify and unload the target that has completed the cycle, and then the radioactive isotopes are extracted, purified and packaged.

Benefits of technology

It breaks through the traditional production method and realizes the mass production of radioactive isotopes in the reactor core, reducing operating costs and opening up high-value application scenarios for commercial high-temperature reactors, especially the production of the strategic isotope tritium, forming a nuclear reactor technology for the specialized production of radioactive isotopes.

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Abstract

This invention discloses a method for producing radioactive isotopes in the core of an advanced high-temperature reactor using a spherical target. This invention overcomes the limitations of using neutron irradiation channels or fuel-related components of nuclear reactors, such as conditioning rods in heavy water reactors and combustible poison rods in pressurized water reactors, to produce radioactive isotopes. It sets a precedent for the mass production of radioactive isotopes using the core of a nuclear reactor, and has significant strategic implications for exploring high-value applications of commercial advanced high-temperature reactors to reduce operating costs and mass-produce radioactive isotopes, including the strategic isotope tritium.
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Citation Information

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