Neutron Target Cooling Flow Path Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The cooling liquid in neutron target devices containing hydrogen elements decelerates neutrons, limiting the inspection depth and effectiveness of neutron beams used for non-destructive testing, especially in thick or deep inspection objects.
Innovation Solution
A target structure with a cooling portion where the flow path for cooling liquid is positioned off-center relative to the target, allowing neutrons to be emitted without passing through the cooling liquid, thus preventing deceleration by hydrogen elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling liquid containing hydrogen elements is used to cool the target, then the target temperature is controlled and melting is prevented, but the neutrons are decelerated when passing through the cooling liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of hydrogen elements in cooling liquid on neutron speed is eliminated by extracting/removing the cooling liquid from the neutron beam path. The flow path is positioned off-center so that neutrons generated at the target center can escape without passing through the cooling liquid, thus maintaining high neutron speed while still using cooling liquid for target temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path is positioned asymmetrically (off-center) relative to the target, creating an asymmetric configuration where the neutron generation region (center) is separated from the cooling liquid region (periphery). This asymmetric arrangement allows neutrons to escape through the center without encountering cooling liquid, while cooling liquid remains in contact with the target for thermal management.
2Strength
If cooling liquid flows through the flow path to cool the target, then the target is prevented from melting, but the number of neutrons reaching deep positions in the inspection object is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling liquid is extracted from the neutron beam path by positioning the flow path off-center. This allows the maximum number of neutrons to reach the inspection object without being decelerated or absorbed by hydrogen elements in the cooling liquid, while the target remains cooled through contact with the cooling liquid at the periphery.
3Productivity
If the flow path is positioned at the center of the target, then cooling efficiency is maximized, but neutrons must pass through cooling liquid to escape, causing deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is deliberately positioned asymmetrically (off-center) rather than at the center, creating a configuration where neutron escape path (through center) and cooling liquid location (at periphery) are spatially separated. This asymmetric arrangement sacrifices some cooling efficiency compared to centralized cooling but preserves neutron speed by eliminating interaction between neutrons and cooling liquid.
Data Source
AI summary
A target structure includes a target and a cooling portion. The target generates neutrons by being irradiated with a charged particle beam. The cooling portion includes a front surface and a back surface that face to sides opposite to each other. The target is joined directly or indirectly to the front surface. A flow path for flowing of cooling liquid including hydrogen elements is formed in the cooling portion. When viewed in a thickness direction of the cooling portion from the front surface to the back surface, the flow path is positioned off a center portion of the target.