Systems and procedures for generating isotopes in supports of nuclear reactor starting sources

摘要

A procedure for creating desired isotopes in a commercial nuclear reactor (10) that generates heat for use in energy production, the procedure comprising: operating the nuclear reactor (10) to generate heat for use in energy production, wherein the reactor (10) includes a support (100) of irradiation targets in a core (35) of the nuclear reactor (100) at a position (75) directly exposed to the fuel (40) and the moderator from all sides in the core and inaccessible from outside the reactor (10) during operation, in which the irradiation target support (100) can move independently of the fuel (40) and imperviously contains an irradiation target (151) having a thermal neutron absorption cross-section greater than 1 barnium and an atomic number less than 90, and the operation irradiates the irradiation target support (100) with a neutron flux to produce a radioactive descendant. or desired from irradiation target (151); the method being characterized by: removing a starter source support from position (75); and installing the irradiation target holder (100) in position (75), where removal and installation are performed during a non-operational period.