Abstract: Integrated energy systems, such as for use in producing sodium formate and/or processing sodium formate to generate hydrogen as an energy carrier and that produce few or no carbon emissions, and associated devices and methods are described herein. A representative integrated energy system can include a power plant system having multiple modular nuclear reactors. The nuclear reactors can generate electricity and steam for direct use in a sodium formate process or for use in an electrical power conversion system to generate electricity for use in the sodium formate process or for supply to a power grid. Individual ones of the nuclear reactors can be configured to flexibly generate differing outputs of steam or electricity based on a demand state of the power grid—for example, supplying excess electricity and/or steam to the sodium formate process during off-peak hours.

Abstract: A method of producing 13N-ammonia for use in medical imaging is provided, which includes irradiating 14N (having a natural abundance of 99.64%) with a collimated bremsstrahlung radiation (gamma-ray beam) obtained by directing high-energy electrons onto a high-Z converter. The 14N to be irradiated may be in the form of liquid ammonia (14NH3) or ammonia gas to directly produce 13N-ammonia (13NH3) or in the form of liquid nitrogen to indirectly produce 13N-ammonia through conversion of the irradiated liquid nitrogen (N2) via known conversion processes to 13N-ammonia. The photons have an energy level above the threshold of the 14N(?,n)13N reaction (about 10.5 MeV).

Abstract: A system for radioisotope production uses fast-neutron-caused fission of depleted or naturally occurring uranium targets in an irradiation chamber. Fast fission can be enhanced by having neutrons encountering the target undergo scattering or reflection to increase each neutron's probability of causing fission (n, f) reactions in U-238. The U-238 can be deployed as one or more layers sandwiched between layers of neutron-reflecting material, or as rods surrounded by neutron-reflecting material. The gaseous fission products can be withdrawn from the irradiation chamber on a continuous basis, and the radioactive iodine isotopes (including I-131) extracted.

Abstract: A method of producing the therapeutic medical isotope yttrium-90 (Y-90) is provided that includes providing a zirconium target composed at least partially of Zr-90, directing an electron beam onto a high-Z converter to generate a neutron beam having a maximum energy level of 12.1 MeV, and directing the neutron beam onto the zirconium target to isotopically convert at least a portion of the Zr-90 to the Y-90 medical isotope.

Abstract: A system for radioisotope production uses fast-neutron-caused fission of depleted or naturally occurring uranium targets in an irradiation chamber. Fast fission can be enhanced by having neutrons encountering the target undergo scattering or reflection to increase each neutron's probability of causing fission (n, f) reactions in U-238. The U-238 can be deployed as one or more layers sandwiched between layers of neutron-reflecting material, or as rods surrounded by neutron-reflecting material. The gaseous fission products can be withdrawn from the irradiation chamber on a continuous basis, and the radioactive iodine isotopes (including I-131) extracted.

Abstract: A system for radioisotope production uses fast-neutron-caused fission of depleted or naturally occurring uranium targets in an irradiation chamber. Fast fission can be enhanced by having neutrons encountering the target undergo scattering or reflection to increase each neutron's probability of causing fission (n, f) reactions in U-238. The U-238 can be deployed as one or more layers sandwiched between layers of neutron-reflecting material, or as rods surrounded by neutron-reflecting material. The gaseous fission products can be withdrawn from the irradiation chamber on a continuous basis, and the radioactive iodine isotopes (including I-131) extracted.

Abstract: A system for radioisotope production uses fast-neutron-caused fission of depleted or naturally occurring uranium targets in an irradiation chamber. Fast fission can be enhanced by having neutrons encountering the target undergo scattering or reflection to increase each neutron's probability of causing fission (n, f) reactions in U-238. The U-238 can be deployed as one or more layers sandwiched between layers of neutron-reflecting material, or as rods surrounded by neutron-reflecting material. The gaseous fission products can be withdrawn from the irradiation chamber on a continuous basis, and the radioactive iodine isotopes (including I-131) extracted.