Method of generating specified activities within a target holding device
AssigneeGE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
InventorsMelissa Allen, William Earl Russell, II
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for producing uniform activity targets according to an embodiment of the invention may include arranging a plurality of targets in a holding device having an array of compartments, each target being assigned to a compartment based on a known flux of a reactor core so as to facilitate an appropriate exposure of the targets to the flux based on target placement within the array of compartments. The holding device may be positioned within the reactor core to irradiate the targets. The method may be used to produce brachytherapy and/or radiography targets (e.g., seeds, wafers) in a reactor core such that the targets have relatively uniform activity.
Claims20
A method for producing uniform activity targets, comprising:
- arranging a plurality of targets in a holding device having an array of compartments, each target being assigned to a compartment based on a known flux of a reactor core so as to facilitate an appropriate exposure of the targets to the flux based on target placement within the array of compartments, the holding device including a plurality of target plates and a shaft extending through the plurality of target plates, the shaft structured to unite the plurality of target plates, each target plate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the first surface having the array of compartments, the target plates arranged such that the first surface of one target plate faces the second surface of an adjacent target plate;
- positioning the holding device within the reactor core to irradiate the targets;
- and
- irradiating the plurality of targets within the holding device.
A method for producing uniform activity targets, comprising:
- positioning targets within a holding device according to a determined target loading configuration, the determined target loading configuration being based on a required flux for each target in conjunction with a known environment of a reactor core that is used to irradiate the targets, the holding device including a plurality of target plates and a shaft extending through the plurality of target plates, the shaft structured to unite the plurality of target plates, each target plate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the first surface having an array of compartments, the target plates arranged such that the first surface of one target plate faces the second surface of an adjacent target plate;
- and
- irradiating the targets within the holding device.
A method for producing uniform activity targets, comprising:
- arranging a plurality of targets in a holding device having an array of compartments, each target being assigned to a compartment based on a known flux of a reactor core so as to facilitate an appropriate exposure of the targets to the flux based on target placement within the array of compartments, the holding device including a plurality of target plates and a shaft extending through the plurality of target plates, the shaft structured to unite the plurality of target plates, each target plate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the first surface having the array of compartments, the target plates arranged such that the first surface of one target plate faces the second surface of an adjacent target plate;
- positioning the holding device within the reactor core to irradiate the targets, the targets being formed of different natural or enriched isotopes and arranged by isotope type, cross section, and self-shielding properties;
- and
- irradiating the plurality of targets within the holding device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.