SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING ISOTOPES IN NUCLEAR REACTOR STARTUP SOURCE HOLDERS

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide irradiation target holders for generating radioisotopes, allowing safer and easier handling and harvesting; and to provide methods for generating the same.SOLUTION: Irradiation target holders 100 are configured to fit in open locations inside of an operating commercial nuclear core 35. The holders can be placed with ends at vertical bottom and top of the core 35 or any position therebetween to directly expose the holders to nuclear fuel reactions. The holders have ends and overall shape that can join with existing reactor structures, while fitting closely with fuel 45 and moderator and being easily removable from the same. The holders are fabricated of any reactor-compatible material that will retain irradiation targets 151 and daughter products. The holders can be installed during reactor outages and irradiated during operation without risk of movement or interference with operation. The holders can be harvested from the core 35 independent of other core structures and fuel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3