Isotope production devices, associated components, and systems

A method of producing isotopes, the method comprising:

• heating an aqueous solution in a reactor core through a nuclear reaction;
• flowing the aqueous solution through the reactor core;
• cooling the aqueous solution in a heat exchanger;
• flowing the aqueous solution downward in a return passage after cooling the aqueous solution;
• diverting a portion of the aqueous solution after flowing the aqueous solution through the reactor core and before cooling the aqueous solution;
• extracting isotopes from the portion of the aqueous solution;
• and
• reintroducing the portion of the aqueous solution into the aqueous solution before cooling the aqueous solution.

An isotope production system comprising:

• a reactor core configured to induce flow of an aqueous fuel solution through a nuclear reaction generating natural convection;
• a heat exchanger positioned over the reactor core;
• a return passage extending between the heat exchanger and a bottom of the reactor core;
• an extraction device positioned between the reactor core and the heat exchanger, the extraction device configured to divert a portion of the aqueous fuel solution after flowing the aqueous solution through the reactor core and before cooling the aqueous solution in the heat exchanger;
• and
• an orifice plate coupled between the return passage and the reactor core, the orifice plate configured to maintain a substantially uniform flow of the aqueous fuel solution through the reactor core, the orifice plate comprising:
• a plurality of uniform apertures through the orifice plate;
• and
• one or more ridges extending from a surface of the orifice plate in a direction toward the reactor core.