Method and device for producing neutrons, in particular for subcritical nuclear reactor

摘要

A device (33) for producing neutrons and suitable for use in a subcritical nuclear reactor (1) directs a beam (37) of high-energy particles against a heavy-nucleus operating fluid (35) via a main supply conduit (36), at one end (40) of which is defined an interface (63) between the operating fluid (35) and a pressurized gas (55) in a portion (46) of the main supply conduit (36); a spurting motion of the operating fluid is maintained at the interface (63) with the pressurized gas (55), and the operating fluid is cooled by a cooling circuit (22); the operating fluid (35) may either circulate in the cooling circuit (22) or be contained entirely inside an end portion of the main supply conduit (36), in which the operating fluid is kept circulating along a closed circuit cooled externally. Whichever the case, the beam (37) of particles does not travel through metal surfaces immersed in the heavy-nucleus operating fluid, but only through the liquid-gas interface (63).