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US 2019/0172595 A1Published application
Sticky neutron moderator core pellets
AssigneeU.S. Department of Energy
InventorDonald R. Lambert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise pellets comprised of neutron moderating or absorbing materials with a polymer coating. The neutron core moderator pellet 100 comprises a core matrix of neutron absorbing material 102 and a polymer coating 104 that can also serve as a binder for the core 102. The neutron moderating/absorbing material 102 can be selected from a variety of chemical element materials that have been proven to have established neutron capture/absorbing capabilities.
Claims14
1:
- A neutron absorbing decontamination pellet comprising:
- an innermost core comprised of a predetermined neutron absorbing material;
- and
- an insoluble polymer coating forming a continuous outer casing for the core of neutron absorbing material.
1 more element
2:
- The decontamination pellet of claim 1, wherein the neutron core material can be configured into a predetermined size.
3:
- The decontamination pellet of claim 2, wherein the outer casing is comprised of a substance that is less dense than the neutron core material.
4:
- The decontamination pellet of claim 3, wherein the outer casing has a predetermined melting point.
5:
- The decontamination pellet of claim 3, wherein upon exposure to air the outer casing becomes either semi-rigid or rigid yet remains pliable.
6:
- The decontamination pellet of claim 5, wherein the neutron core can be configured into an elongated fiber strand.
7:
- The decontamination pellet of claim 6, wherein the outer casing becomes sticky, yet retains its integrity, upon exposure water.
8:
- The decontamination pellet of claim 6, wherein the outer casing becomes sticky, yet retains its integrity, upon exposure to a predetermined temperature.
9:
- A method for the formation of neutron absorbing decontamination pellets, the method comprising the steps of:
- creating a slurry comprised of a predetermined neutron absorber material and a binding agent;
- transporting the slurry through a feeder hose, the hose terminating at a deposit nozzle;
- employing the deposit nozzle to form the slurry into neutron cores of predetermined sizes;
- immersing the neutron cores formed by the deposit nozzle into a bath of a predetermined insoluble polymer solution to create an outer casing upon each immersed neutron core in order to construct a neutron absorbing decontamination pellet, and
- exposing the neutron absorbing decontamination pellets to air to dry, and thereafter transferring the dry decontamination pellets to storage.
3 more elements
10:
- The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of adding the decontamination pellets into a predetermined solution that will act as a delivery mechanism for the decontamination pellets.
11:
- The method of claim 10, wherein the outer casing of the decontamination pellets are comprised of a substance that is less dense than the slurry comprised of the neutron absorber material and binding agent.
12:
- The method of claim 11, wherein the deposit nozzle can be configured to form the slurry into an elongated fiber strand.
13:
- The method of claim 12, wherein the outer casing becomes sticky, yet retains its integrity, upon exposure water.
14:
- The method of claim 12, wherein the outer casing becomes sticky, yet retains its integrity, upon exposure to a predetermined temperature.