Mobile Irradiation Target Processing System for Reactor Instrumentation Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radionuclide generation systems in nuclear reactors require permanent installations, leading to high costs and reduced availability of instrumentation tubes for neutron flux measurement, with challenges in processing and storing highly active targets due to limited space and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A mobile irradiation target processing system that allows for easy insertion and retrieval of targets using pneumatic force and gravity, with a movable support for connecting to existing instrumentation tubes, enabling radionuclide generation without permanent modifications and providing efficient handling and storage of activated targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If permanent installations are used for radionuclide generation, then radionuclide production capability is improved, but instrumentation tube availability for neutron flux measurement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a mobile target processing system that can be dynamically positioned and connected to different instrumentation tubes as needed, rather than being permanently fixed. This allows the system to adapt to various tubes based on neutron flux conditions and measurement requirements, resolving the contradiction between radionuclide production capability and tube availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The target processing system is divided into separate, modular components that can be independently deployed and connected to instrumentation tubes temporarily. This segmentation allows the system to provide radionuclide generation capability without permanently occupying or modifying the instrumentation tubes, maintaining their availability for both production and measurement functions.
2Ease of operation
If permanent processing structures are installed, then target handling capability is improved, but system cost deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile target processing system can be moved and repositioned as needed, providing full target handling capability only when and where required. This dynamic deployment eliminates the need for expensive permanent infrastructure while maintaining operational effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between handling capability and system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile processing system is designed to be multi-functional and reusable across different instrumentation tubes and locations. By providing universal target handling capability that can serve multiple purposes and locations, the system achieves cost-effectiveness without sacrificing operational capability.
3Productivity
If extensive modifications are made to reactor containment, then target processing efficiency is improved, but modification complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic, temporary connections to instrumentation tubes rather than permanent structural modifications to the reactor containment. This approach achieves efficient target processing through mobile equipment that can be positioned and connected as needed, avoiding the complexity of extensive permanent modifications while maintaining processing efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables cost-effective and safe radionuclide production during reactor operation, allowing for flexible selection of instrumentation tubes based on neutron flux conditions and reducing the need for extensive modifications or additional space within the reactor containment.
Implementation Method 1
A transport gas is supplied to drive the irradiation targets into the instrumentation tube
Implementation Method 2
Based on the vertical positioning of selection block, only one of the instrumentation path and the irradiation target path may align with, and open into, shared pathway
Data Source
AI summary
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.