Reactor design with controlled thermal neutron flux for enhanced neutron activation potential
US11848112B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 8, 2021 |
| Grant date | Dec 19, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Reactor core and thermal neutron fission reactor has fuel rods with a composite fuel composition (each having the same uniform cross-section along their axial length), end plates at first and second ends, and intermediate support plates located along a longitudinal length of the reactor core. In a radial cross-section, the fuel rods are arranged at nodes of a hexagonal pitch arrangement, in which the nodes are in a spaced-apart arrangement and interconnected by ligaments. Openings between the nodes form part of a coolant flow path through the thermal neutron reactor core. At least two of the nodes of the hexagonal pitch arrangement are sized to allow insertion, translation, removal, or a combination thereof of auxiliary equipment, such as a target delivery system (TDS) for isotopes. Thermal neutron flux (neutrons ≤0.06 eV) is maximized for maximum neutron activation potential, which is applied to produce both commercial and research isotopes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.