Abstract: Incineration process for transuranic chemical elements and nuclear reactor implementing this process.

Abstract: This device comprises a spallation target (63) that produces neutrons by interaction with a hollow particle beam (88) propagating within a chamber (86), another chamber (84) containing the target and a leak tight partition (92) separating the chambers. The invention is particularly applicable to basic physics, medicine and transmutation.

Abstract: A particle accelerator assembly with a liquid-target holding assembly usable to produce radioisotopes in liquid targets. A particle accelerator is configured to produce a particle beam along a beam axis, and the liquid-target holding assembly connected to the particle accelerator. The liquid-target retaining assembly has a mounting portion coupled to the particle accelerator, and the mounting portion is configured to receive the particle beam therethrough. A liquid-target holder is connected to the mounting portion and has a holder body with a target cavity that contains a liquid target therein. The target cavity has a longitudinal axis oriented at an acute angle relative to the particle beam axis. The target cavity has a first depth along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and has a projected depth along the beam axis greater than the first depth.

Abstract: Nitrogen 14 is fed by pressure differentials in a continuous process within a microwave cavity in which the atoms are held in a fixed direction of spin while electromagnetic energy resonant with nitrogen 14 converts protons into neutrons thus transmuting nitrogen 14 into carbon 14.

Abstract: Flow of mercury from a liquid-heavy-metal inflow port toward an inner forward end of a container body is rectified by a plurality of incoming-passage guide vanes in a liquid-heavy-metal incoming passage. Flow of the mercury from the forward end of the container body toward a liquid-heavy-metal outflow port is rectified by a plurality of return-passage guide vanes in a liquid-heavy-metal return passage. As a result, occurrence of stagnation and/or recirculation flows of the mercury in the container body is suppressed and a steady and highly uniform stream of the mercury is formed throughout in the container body. The container body is covered with a container outer shell to prevent any leakage of the mercury to outside due to a damage of the container body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for transmuting higher actinides, plutonium and selected fission products in a liquid-fuel subcritical assembly. Uranium may also be enriched, thereby providing new fuel for use in conventional nuclear power plants. An accelerator provides the additional neutrons required to perform the processes. The size of the accelerator needed to complete fuel cycle closure depends on the neutron efficiency of the supported reactors and on the neutron spectrum of the actinide transmutation apparatus. Treatment of spent fuel from light water reactors (LWRs) using uranium-based fuel will require the largest accelerator power, whereas neutron-efficient high temperature gas reactors (HTGRs) or CANDU reactors will require the smallest accelerator power, especially if thorium is introduced into the newly generated fuel according to the teachings of the present invention.

Abstract: A cyclotron and a target system containing rotating foils composed of target nuclide to undergo nuclear reactions with the beam from the cyclotron are integrated into one unit such that the foils intercept the orbit of the accelerating beam in the cyclotron. Accordingly, the beam strikes the foils to undergo nuclear reaction therein and to correspondingly lose a small portion of its energy in its passage through the foils. The transmitted beam from the foils gains the lost energy to the foils as it circulates in the accelerating zone of the cyclotron and subsequently re-strikes the foils. This process of continuing strikes results in accumulation of the beam current striking the foils and proportionally increases the rate of nuclear reactions. Since the beam after striking the foils is re-circulated and regains the energy loss to the foils, the integrated unit is termed the Recyclotron. The targets are designed to dissipate the heat from the beam load primarily by radiation.

Abstract: A neutron delivery system that provides improved capability for tumor control during medical therapy. The system creates a unique neutron beam that has a bimodal or multi-modal energy spectrum. This unique neutron beam can be used for fast-neutron therapy, boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), or both. The invention includes both an apparatus and a method for accomplishing the purposes of the invention.

Abstract: A target includes a body having a depression in a front side for holding a sample for irradiation by a particle beam to produce a radioisotope. Cooling fins are disposed on a backside of the body opposite the depression. A foil is joined to the body front side to cover the depression and sample therein. A perforate grid is joined to the body atop the foil for supporting the foil and for transmitting the particle beam therethrough. A coolant is circulated over the fins to cool the body during the particle beam irradiation of the sample in the depression.

Abstract: A particle accelerator (12) generates an input particle beam having an initial energy level above a threshold for generating secondary nuclear particles. A thin target (14) is rotated in the path of the input beam for undergoing nuclear reactions to generate the secondary particles and correspondingly decrease energy of the input beam to about the threshold. The target (14) produces low energy secondary particles and is effectively cooled by radiation and conduction. A neutron scatterer (44) and a neutron filter (42) are also used for preferentially degrading the secondary particles into a lower energy range if desired.

Abstract: A storage ring system and method for high-yield nuclear production of neutrons, isotopes and photons, include a particle supply for generating a beam of projectile or reaction particles, a closed storage ring for containing and recycling the projectile particles, an electron cooling system for stabilizing the projectile particles, and a target for initiating nuclear reactions with the projectile particles so as to generate the desired end-products, with improved efficiency and safety. The invention also provides a plurality of dipoles and/or trim magnets selectively situated around the ring to guide the projectile particles as they circulate within the system. Substantially trapped in the closed storage ring, the particle beam is recirculated inside the storage ring for repeated exposure to the target, until the particles either favorably react with the target or are lost through scattering.

Abstract: A method for producing energy from a nuclear fuel material contained in an enclosure, through a process of breeding of a fissile element from a fertile element of the fuel material via a .beta.-precursor of the fissile element and fission of the fissile element. A high energy particle beam is directed into the enclosure for interacting with heavy nuclei contained in the enclosure so as to produce high energy spallation neutrons. The neutrons thereby produced are multiplied in steady sub-critical conditions by the breeding and fission process. The breeding and fission process is carried out inside the enclosure.

Abstract: In a slow positron beam generating device having a cyclotron for irradiating protons or deuterons during an irradiating time interval, a target member receives the protons or the deuterons to generate radioisotopes which emit positrons by causing .beta..sup.+ decay. Ejecting electrodes receive the positrons moderated by a moderator to eject a slow positron beam. The irradiating time interval is longer than a half life of the radioisotope. Preferably, the irradiating time interval is longer than a six multiplied by the half life of the radioisotope.

Abstract: A process for producing radionuclides using a porous carbon target. The process includes the steps of inserting a porous carbon target with tailored solid and void dimensions in the path of a bombarding beam; introducing fluid into the porous carbon target; bombarding the porous carbon target to produce at least one type of radionuclide; collecting the fluid and separating the resulting radionuclides.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for electrically suppressing electrochemical potential near highly susceptible components of a boiling water reactor. A small self-powered, electrical device is affixed to the metal area to be protected, which device has the capacity to locally suppress electrochemical potential automatically and continuously without provision for external power supplies, cables, penetrations, or other paraphernalia usually associated with electrical and electronic systems. The result is that components susceptible to intergranular stress corrosion cracking are not as sensitive to the details of the water chemistry flowing over them and do not crack as much, or as rapidly, as presently. The new technique is based on the concept of supplying electrons directly and locally to the sensitized zone(s) of the metal, thereby inhibiting intergranular stress corrosion cracking. The source of the electrons is .beta.-emitting material which is contained in a housing attached to the metal.

Abstract: Plutonium is effectively and economically rendered unsuitable for employment in a device for creating a nuclear detonation. Weapons-grade plutonium is made into ceramic fuel in the form of spheroids of submillimeter size, coated with multi-layer fission-product-retentive coatings and disposed in sealed fuel chambers in graphite block fuel elements. These elements are used to form a core for a modular helium-cooled high temperature nuclear reactor which is operated to efficiently generate power by causing the hot high pressure helium coolant to drive a gas turbine directly connected to an electrical generator, which nuclear fuel core has about a 3-year lifetime. Spent nuclear fuel elements are removed at the end of 3 years and shifted to form the core for an accelerator-driven helium-cooled reactor wherein a subcritical core of spent fuel elements is safely caused to effectively continuously fission by a neutron flux created by a Linac which bombards a lead target with a beam of high energy protons.

Abstract: System and apparatus for producing neutron beams having an energy spectrum and intensity suitable for use in neutron capture therapy. The apparatus employs a rotating carriage which supports an annular target support region carrying a target material such as lithium metal. The carriage rotatably positions the target material before the pathway of charged particles generated from an accelerator course of ions. To cool the assemblage, the carriage is formed having an internally disposed chamber within which a coolant is directed from an external source. Because of the centrifugal forces imposed upon this internally-disposed coolant, it is forced to a heat exchange position adjacent the target region. The assemblage of carriage and accelerator are retained within a containment chamber under vacuum.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the generation of isotopes, and in particular radioisotopes, from a target material which is not normally a solid and which, when bombarded by selected high energy particles, produces the selected isotope. A surface is provided which is preferably of a thermally-conductive material, which surface is cooled to a temperature below the freezing temperature of the target material. A thin layer of target material is then frozen on the surface and the target material is bombarded with the high energy particles. The beam of high energy particles is preferably at an angle to the surface such that the particles pass through a thickness of the target material greater than the thickness of the layer before reaching the surface. When the desired quantity of isotope has been produced from the target material, the target material, which has now been altered nuclearly to contain the selected isotope, is removed from the surface.

Abstract: Generating nuclear resonance-produced gamma rays of .sup.14 N, .sup.16 O (and C1) for scanning objects such as luggage that may contain explosives of nitrogen-oxygen (-chorine) constituents, and detecting such by Resonance Absorption Analysis (RAA) techniques, and with increased yield of gamma ray generation with novel resonance targets, thin layer and gaseous, particularly of the resonance gamma rays of .sup.14 N.

Abstract: Improved method and means for the detection of nitrogenous material or assaying of nitrogenous material in an object on the basis of nuclear resonant attenuation of 9.17 MeV .gamma.-rays. A target in form of one or several .sup.13 C pellets at least 25.mu. thick, or alternatively in form of a body that bears a composite thin film including at least one .sup.13 C layer not more than 1.mu. thick and at least one other substance that is capable of generating supplementary .gamma.-radiation for determining the non-resonant component of attenuation, is bombarded with 1.75 MeV protons to produce a source of 9.17 MeV .gamma.-rays. The target is placed on one side of the inspected object and a .gamma.-ray detector or an array of such detectors is placed on the other side and the total and non-resonant attenuation are read and evaluated.

Abstract: A method of producing Al-26 from potassium chloride by exposing it to a proton beam in order to break potassium and chlorine atoms into smaller pieces, which include Al-26. The Al-26 is isolated from the potassium chloride and other substances produced by the beam by means of extraction and ion exchange.

Abstract: A gas target device in which a gaseous target is bombarded with charged particles by means of a charged particle accelerator and radioisotopes are produced in a target chamber receiving the gaseous target a vacuum chamber is disposed in front of the gas target device so as to provide safety volume with gas-tight metal foils disposed at both ends thereof which metal foils however are permeable to the charged particles but provide a gas-tight seal with respect to the target chamber of the gas target device and the vacuum system of the accelerator. The metal foils are held by flanges disposed between the housing which are movable relative to one another to permit removal and replacement of the metal foils associated with the flange plates.

Abstract: An irradiator (4) is provided for irradiating lumps of ore to detect the presence of gold in the lumps by neutron activation analysis. The irradiator (4) consists of a close packed array of three inner cylindrical ducts (14) and three outer cylindrical ducts (12) through which the lumps of ore are passed, with three neutron sources (16) arranged in the spaces between the inner ducts (14) and the outer ducts (12) to irradiate the ducts (12, 14) and to activate any gold by the reaction .sup.197 Au (n, n'.gamma.) .sup.197 Au. Each inner duct (14) is thus adjacent to two neutron sources (16), and is or larger cross-sectional area than the outer ducts (12).

Abstract: There are provided container vessels for the production and transportation of short-lived isotopes by irradiation from an accelerator, comprising a hermetically sealed container with a window in one of its walls which fits the exit window of such accelerator, and through which a suitable material contained in the said container vessel can be irradiated. There is also provided a method for the production of such short-lived positron sources for use in tomography, which comprises attaching a container vessel defined above adjacent to the exit window of an acceletator, irradiating a suitable material in said container, detaching the said container and working up the positron source in a radiochemistry laboratory.

Abstract: Beryllium-7 labeled carbon particles made from the proton irradiation of carbon materials, preferably from dry carbon black are disclosed. Such particles are useful as gamma emitting radiotracers.

Abstract: An irradiator for irradiating lumps of ore, to activate a selected substance in the ore by neutron activation, consists of a cylindrical chamber 10, a vibrated conical base 20 to control passage of the lumps through the chamber 10, and at least one coaxial annular neutron source 30 at one end of the chamber 10. The neutron source 30 is arranged so that all the lumps of ore are activated uniformly.

Abstract: A target arrangement for spallation-neutron-sources, according to which target material is continuously present at the point of incidence of a proton beam. The target material is arranged at the periphery of a rotary wheel which is internally cooled.

Abstract: A method of producing carrier-free .sup.67 Cu by proton spallation combined with subsequent chemical separation and purification is disclosed. A target consisting essentially of pressed zinc oxide is irradiated with a high energy, high current proton beam to produce a variety of spallogenic nuclides, including .sup.67 Cu and other copper isotopes. The irradiated target is dissolved in a concentrated acid solution to which a palladium salt is added. In accordance with the preferred method, the spallogenic copper is twice coprecipitated with palladium, once with metallic zinc as the precipitating agent and once with hydrogen sulfide as the precipitating agent. The palladium/copper precipitate is then dissolved in an acid solution and the copper is separated from the palladium by liquid chromatography on an anion exchange resin.

Abstract: A process to produce energy with the fusion of hydrogen and carbon in a thermonuclear fusion reaction with an extension, wherein carbon targets are bombarded with a beam of fast protons at temperatures of 457 kev. The thermonuclear fusion reaction produces two helium atoms and two neutron particles.The neutrons are captured by a blanket of lithium 7 which cools the walls and carries the heat to a turbulent heat exchanger, then to a generator and turbine complex which generates energy, giving tritium as a sub-product.The helium atoms plus alpha particles and protons are extracted to the reactor's extension where, combined with the tritium emitted in the first cycle of the thermonuclear fusion reactor, they go to generate more energy.This process becomes self-maintaining once the thermonuclear fusion reactor is put into operation.

Abstract: A target arrangement for spallation-neutron-sources, according to which tet material is continuously present at the point of incidence of a proton beam. The target material is arranged at the periphery of a rotary wheel which is internally cooled.

Abstract: A method for production of a thallium-carrying target material comprising a thermo-conductive support and metallic thallium electro-plated thereon, which comprises applying a DC-AC overlapped electric current between an anode made of a metal or its alloy having a lower ionization tendency than hydrogen and the electro-conductive support as a cathode, both electrodes being immersed in a bath of an electro-plating solution comprising monovalent thallium ions in the presence of at least one of aromatic amines and phenols, so as to deposit the thallium metal on the surface of the thermo-conductive support.