Abstract: A radionuclide generation system including a tube system configured to permit insertion and removal of irradiation targets into an instrumentation finger of a nuclear reactor, and an irradiation target drive system configured to insert the irradiation targets into the instrumentation finger and to remove the irradiation targets from the instrumentation finger. The radionuclide generation system further includes an instrumentation and control unit which is linked to an online core monitoring system and being configured to calculate optimal irradiation locations for the irradiation targets based on the actual state of the reactor as provided by the online core monitoring system.

Abstract: A method of producing radionuclides from irradiation targets in a nuclear reactor uses at least one instrumentation tube system of a commercial nuclear reactor. Irradiation targets and dummy targets are inserted into an instrumentation finger and the irradiation targets are activated by exposing them to neutron flux in the nuclear reactor core to form a radionuclide. The dummy targets hold the irradiation targets at a predetermined axial position in the reactor core corresponding to a pre-calculated neutron flux density sufficient for converting the irradiation targets to the radionuclide. Separating the dummy targets from the activated irradiation targets includes exposure to a magnetic field to retain either the dummy targets or the activated irradiation targets in the instrumentation tube system and release the other one of the activated irradiation target or the dummy target from the instrumentation tube system. An apparatus adapted to the above method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of producing radionuclides from irradiation targets in a nuclear reactor uses at least one instrumentation tube system of a commercial nuclear reactor. Irradiation targets and dummy targets are inserted into an instrumentation finger and the irradiation targets are activated by exposing them to neutron flux in the nuclear reactor core to form a radionuclide. The dummy targets hold the irradiation targets at a predetermined axial position in the reactor core corresponding to a pre-calculated neutron flux density sufficient for converting the irradiation targets to the radionuclide. Separating the dummy targets from the activated irradiation targets includes exposure to a magnetic field to retain either the dummy targets or the activated irradiation targets in the instrumentation tube system and release the other one of the activated irradiation target or the dummy target from the instrumentation tube system. An apparatus adapted to the above method is also provided.

Abstract: A radionuclide generation system comprises a tube system configured to permit insertion and removal of irradiation targets into an instrumentation finger of a nuclear reactor, and an irradiation target drive system configured to insert the irradiation targets into the instrumentation finger and to remove the irradiation targets from the instrumentation finger. The radionuclide generation system further comprises an instrumentation and control unit which is linked to an online core monitoring system and being configured to calculate an optimum irradiation time for the irradiation targets based on the actual state of the reactor as provided by the online core monitoring system.

Abstract: A retaining device has a multi-layer protective cladding for protecting the bearing and containment structure of a spreading chamber for the controlled spread and cooling of a melt from a nuclear reactor pressure vessel. The spreading chamber is configured under the spreading concept, i.e. the melt spreads and cools therein. The protective cladding has at least two layers: an outer sacrificial layer acts as a thermal shock barrier and melting substance; a protective and insulating layer, disposed inside the sacrificial layer and protecting the underlying bearing and containment structure, acts as thermal protection layer and retaining layer for the hot melt. The protective and insulating layer includes a first partial layer of fireproof concrete adjacent the bearing and containment structure, and a second partial layer of temperature-resistant ceramic blocks, in particular ZrO2 adjacent the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a core melt collection chamber having walls with multilevel protective layers. The layers include one layer part made of refractory concrete and another layer part made of ceramic bricks. The protective layers are anchored to the structural concrete of the collection chamber. In order to provide structural simplification, the layer part made of refractory concrete is constructed in the form of prefabricated blocks which are jointed together and are fastened to the structural concrete, and the layer part made of ceramic bricks is braced to the blocks of the layer part made of refractory concrete.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a propagation space for core melt. The propagation space has a coolant conduit leading to a coolant reservoir and a device which opens in a temperature-dependent manner. The coolant conduit in the propagation space is a spray conduit having a spraying area which covers the cross-section of the propagation space over a large area. The device is controlled in such a way that it opens when the core melt enters the propagation space. Spraying gives rise to a crust on the core melt which reduces heat radiation. At the same time, the propagation space fills with a steam atmosphere which drastically reduces the thermal load on building structures.

Abstract: A device for collecting core melt from a reactor pressure vessel improves a flow of the core melt out of the reactor pressure vessel. A prechamber is disposed below the reactor pressure vessel and a spreading chamber for the core melt is disposed laterally next to the reactor pressure vessel. The spreading chamber is connected to the prechamber through a channel. A base unit forms a bottom region at least of the prechamber and is made of a material having high thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A device for collecting and cooling reactor-meltdown products from a reactor pressure vessel includes an antechamber disposed below the reactor pressure vessel and an expansion chamber for the reactor-meltdown products. A channel which is disposed between the antechamber and the expansion chamber has a partition being destructible by the reactor-meltdown products. A closure element which connects a coolant reservoir to the expansion chamber is destructible by the reactor-meltdown products. A method for collecting and cooling reactor-meltdown products from a reactor pressure vessel includes collecting reactor-meltdown products in an antechamber disposed below the reactor pressure vessel and keeping them in the antechamber for a predetermined time interval. A partition disposed between the antechamber and an expansion chamber is destroyed with the reactor-meltdown products. The reactor-meltdown products penetrate from the antechamber into the expansion chamber and are spread in the expansion chamber.

Abstract: A device for collecting reactor-meltdown products from a reactor pressure vessel includes an antechamber disposed below the reactor pressure vessel, an expansion chamber having a floor forming an expansion surface for reactor-meltdown products, and a bulkhead being disposed between the antechamber and the expansion chamber and being destructible by the reactor-meltdown products. The bulkhead has a plurality of parts including at least one part being thermally destructible by the reactor-meltdown products. The at least one part is joined to the other parts for clearing a flow path for the reactor-meltdown products from the antechamber into the expansion chamber upon a destruction of the at least one part.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor facility has a collecting chamber for a core melt, a coolant tank and a coolant connecting line having an inlet end connected to the coolant tank and an outlet end protruding into the collecting chamber and having an outlet cross section. A closing device at the connecting line which opens as a function of temperature for initiating cooling of the core melt includes a closing member disposed at the outlet end of the connecting line for normally tightly closing the outlet end. The closing member has a temperature-dependent opening element for tripping clearance of at least a portion of the outlet cross section of the connecting line upon thermal action by the core melt to direct the coolant from the coolant tank, through the connecting line and into the collecting chamber. The opening element being a plastic block which thermally insulates the coolant, and is corrosion-resistant.

Abstract: A device for collecting reactor-meltdown products from a reactor pressure vessel includes an expansion chamber for receiving the reactor-meltdown products and for receiving a coolant, such as cooling water, for cooling the reactor-meltdown products spreading in the expansion chamber. The expansion chamber is disposed laterally of the reactor pressure vessel and has a floor and a cooling system in the floor.