Abstract: Control rod drives include linearly-moveable control elements inside an isolation barrier. Control rod drives move the control element through secured magnetic elements subject to magnetic fields. Induction coils may generate the magnetic fields across a full stroke length of the control element in the reactor. A closed coolant loop may cool the induction coils, which may be in a vacuum outside the isolation barrier. A control rod assembly may house the magnetic elements and directly, removably join to the control element. The control rod assembly may lock with magnetic overtravel latches inside the isolation barrier to maintain an overtravel position. Overtravel release coils outside the isolation barrier may release the latches to leave the overtravel position. Methods of operation include selectively energizing or de-energizing induction coils to drive the control element to desired insertion points, including full insertion by gravity following de-energization.

Abstract: A module for storing high level radioactive waste includes an outer shell, having a hermetically closed bottom end, and an inner shell forming a cavity and being positioned inside the outer shell to form a space therebetween. At least one divider extends from the top to the bottom of the inner shell to create a plurality of inlet passageways through the space, each inlet passageway connecting to a bottom portion of the cavity. A plurality of inlet ducts each connect at least one of the inlet passageways and ambient atmosphere, and each includes an inlet duct cover affixed atop a surrounding inlet wall, the inlet wall being peripherally perforated. A removable lid is positioned atop the inner shell and has at least one outlet passageway connecting the cavity and the ambient atmosphere, the lid and the top of the inner shell being configured to form a hermetic seal therebetween.

Abstract: A self-powered in-core detector arrangement for measuring flux in a nuclear reactor core includes a first in-core detector and a second in-core detector. The first in-core detector includes a first flux detecting material, a first lead wire extending longitudinally from a first axial end of the first flux detecting material, a first insulating material surrounding outer diameters of the first flux detecting material and the first lead wire and a first sheath surrounding the first insulating material. The first sheath includes a first section surrounding the first flux detecting material and a second section surrounding the first lead wire. The first section of the first sheath has a greater outer diameter than the second section of the first sheath.

Abstract: Embodiments that are directed to a target for producing a high epithermal neutron yield for boron-neutron capture therapy (BNCT) treatments are disclosed. The target includes a thin flat film of solid lithium mounted onto a heat-removal support structure that is cooled with a liquid coolant and configured to maintain the turbulent flow regime for a liquid coolant and distribute the flow of coolant directed at the center of the support structure toward a periphery of the support structure via a plurality of channels formed in the support structure. The support structure includes a nozzle located at its center to direct coolant flow outwardly from the center to avoid stagnant water flow at the center of the support structure. Systems, device, and methods utilizing the approaches are also described.

Abstract: A storage apparatus is provided for dry storage of radioactive nuclear waste. The storage apparatus comprises a sealed canister containing the radioactive nuclear waste and an outer ventilated metal storage overpack (VMSO). The VMSO has a plurality of vents to enable ambient air flow through the VMSO and around the canister to thereby dissipate heat from the canister. The VMSO has a side wall having an inner metal layer and one or more sets of alternating layers. Each set includes a neutron absorbing layer adjacent to another metal layer so that neutron absorbing and metal layers alternate throughout the side wall. The neutron absorbing layer or layers are designed to absorb neutron particles radiated from the radioactive nuclear waste and the metal layers are designed to absorb gamma particles radiated from the radioactive nuclear waste as well as radiated from the neutron absorbing layer or layers that result from reactions associated with absorption of neutron particles.

Abstract: A system for producing technetium-99m from molybdate-100. The system comprises: a target capsule apparatus for housing a Mo-100-coated target plate; a target capsule pickup apparatus for engaging, and delivering the target cell apparatus into a target station apparatus; target station apparatus for receiving and mounting therein the target capsule apparatus. The target station apparatus is engaged with a cyclotron for irradiating the Mo-100-coated target plate with protons. The irradiated target capsule apparatus is transferred to a receiving cell apparatus comprising a dissolution/purification module for receiving therein a proton-irradiated Mo-100-coated target plate. A conveyance conduit infrastructure interconnects: (i) the target capsule pickup apparatus with the target station apparatus, (ii) the target station apparatus and the receiving cell apparatus; and (iii) the receiving cell apparatus and the dissolution/purification module.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of nuclear energy, in particular, to systems that ensure the safety of nuclear power plants (NPPs), and can be used in severe accidents resulting in molten core, destruction of the reactor vessel and molten metal output into the containment volume of NPP. The technical result of the claimed invention is to increase the reliability of the reactor molten core localization device. The technical result of reactor molten core localization device is achieved due to the lower support consisting of radial supports of a horizontal embedded slab and radial supports installed in the lower part of the molten metal trap casing joined together by clamps, while the radial supports and the fasteners have oval shaped openings.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for generating a plurality of different monoenergetic neutron energies using a plurality of interchangeable ion beam targets. In certain embodiments, each of the plurality of ion beam targets is configured to generate a monoenergetic energy value that is at least 100 kiloelectron volts (keV) different from the other ion beam targets. In some embodiments, the ion beam targets are composed of LiF, TiD1.5-1.8, TiT1-2, ErD1.5, ErT, or Li.

Abstract: A control assembly for a nuclear reactor includes a first reactivity control assembly having a first neutron modifying material, a second reactivity control assembly having a second neutron modifying material, and at least one drive mechanism coupled to the first neutron modifying material and the second neutron modifying material. The first neutron modifying material and the second neutron modifying material are selectively repositionable relative to a fuel region of the nuclear reactor. The at least one drive mechanism is configured to provide the first neutron modifying material and the second neutron modifying material in different directions through the fuel region thereby shifting a flux distribution within the fuel region away from the second neutron modifying material.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel storage cask includes an outer shell having a length extending from a first end to a second end of the outer shell, the outer shell defining an inner cavity circumscribed by the outer shell, an outer perimeter extending around the outer shell, an inner perimeter positioned inward from the outer perimeter, and a cooling circuit extending along the length of the outer shell, the cooling circuit including an inner passage, and an outer passage, a coolant positioned within the cooling circuit, where the coolant is configured to move through the inner passage, absorbing heat from the inner cavity of the outer shell, and the coolant is configured to move through the outer passage, dissipating heat through the outer perimeter of the outer shell, and a lid coupled the outer shell, where the lid covers the inner cavity of the outer shell.

Abstract: Design and making methods of a neutrons generating target are described. In some embodiments, a surface of a target substrate can be modified to form one or more surface features. In some embodiments, a neutron source layer can be disposed on the surface of the target substrate. In some embodiments, the neutron source layer and the target substrate can be heated to an elevated temperature to form a bond between the two. In some embodiments, the surface modification of the target substrate can reduce blistering and material exfoliation in the target. The target can be used in boron neutron capture therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device adapted for producing energy by nuclear fission, the device comprising a core container of a core container material, which core container encloses an inner tubing of an inner tubing material, the inner tubing and/or the core container having an inlet and an outlet, the device further comprising a molten halide salt located in the core container or in the inner tubing, wherein the inner tubing comprises one or more sections consisting of single crystal corundum. The invention further relates to methods of controlling nuclear fission processes using the device and to the use of a corundum tube as a structural material in a nuclear fission device. The invention provides improved economy in molten salt nuclear fission processes.

Abstract: A mobile heat pipe cooled fast nuclear reactor may be configured for transportation to remote locations and may be able to provide 0.5 to 2 megawatts of power. The mobile heat pipe cooled fast reactor may contain a plurality of heat pipes that are proximate to a plurality of fuel pins inside the reactor. The plurality of heat pipes may extend out of the reactor. The reactor may be configured to be placed in a standard shipping container, and may further be configured to be contained within a cask and attached to a skid for easier transportation.

Abstract: A controlled fusion process is provided that can produce a sustained series of fusion reactions: a process that (i) uses a substantially higher reactant density of the deuterium and tritium gases by converging cationic reactants into the higher reaction density at a target cathode rather than relying on random collisions, the converging producing a substantially higher rate of fusion and energy production; (ii) uses a substantially lower input of energy to initiate the fusion; (iii) can be cycled at a substantially higher cycle frequency; (iv) has a practical heat exchange method; (v) is substantially less costly to manufacture, operate, and maintain; and, (vi) has a substantially improved reaction efficiency as a result of not mixing reactants with products.

Abstract: Control rod drives include linearly-moveable control elements inside an isolation barrier. Control rod drives move the control element through a motor and rotor powering a linear screw internal to an isolation barrier. Induction coils may generate magnetic fields and be moveable across a full stroke length of the control element in the reactor. The magnetic fields hold closed a releasable latch to disconnect the control elements from the linear drives. A control rod assembly may join to the control element. The control rod assembly may lock with magnetic overtravel latches inside the isolation barrier to maintain an overtravel position. Overtravel release coils outside the isolation barrier may release the latches to leave the overtravel position. Operation includes moving the magnetic fields and releasable latch together on opposite sides of an isolation barrier to drive the control element to desired insertion points, including full insertion by gravity following de-energization.

Abstract: A system for externally cooling a radiation shielded cask containing heat-emitting high level radioactive waste such as spent nuclear fuel. The system includes the cask defining an internal cavity configured to hold an unshielded canister containing the spent nuclear fuel. An annular cooling water header extends circumferentially around the entire circumference of the cylindrical sidewall of the cask. The header comprises plural dispensing outlets which direct cooling water onto the cask, thereby wetting the entire sidewall of the cask. The cooling water provides an external heat sink for absorbing the heat emitted through the external wall surface of the cask generated by the spent nuclear fuel. In various embodiments, the cooling water header may have a continuous annular structure, or be formed by two or more header segments. The header may be supported directly from the cask by detachably mounted brackets.

Abstract: The disclosure provide an apparatus for producing a nuclide by using a liquid target which can perform the nuclear reaction process and can discharge the radioactive gas such as Radon within the vial. As described above, an apparatus for producing a nuclide by using a liquid target according to the present disclosure can minimize quantitative loss of a reactant by performing the nuclear reaction process using a target of a liquefied state and reusing a liquefied target on which the nuclear reaction process has not been performed, and can improve safety by enabling the radioactive gas generated to be disposed.

Abstract: There is provided an exit window for an electron beam from a linear accelerator for use in producing radioisotopes. The exit window comprises a cylindrical channel operatively connectable at one end to a vacuum chamber configured for travel of the electron beam; and a domed dished head at the other end of the channel, the dished head comprising a convex portion having a protruding crown configured for pass-through of the electron beam wherein the geometry of the domed dished head is proportioned to resist pressure stress created by cooling medium circulating around the protruding crown and the vacuum in the cylindrical channel and to maintain the combined cooling medium pressure stress and pulsed electron beam thermal stress below the fatigue limit of the material forming the exit window.

Abstract: Examples of advanced fuel cycles for fusion reactors are described. Examples include fuel cycles for use in field reverse configuration (FRC) plasma reactors. In some examples, reaction gases may be removed from a fusion reactor between pulses (e.g. plasmoid collisions). In some examples, a D-3He reaction is performed, with the 3He provided from decay of byproducts of previous reactions (e.g. tritium).

Abstract: A zirconium alloy cladding tube for use in a water cooled nuclear reactor under normal operating conditions and under high temperature oxidation conditions is described. The cladding tube has a coating uniformly deposited thereon. The coating, which may be up to 300 microns thick, is selected from the group consisting of chromium, a chromium-based alloy, and combinations thereof.