Abstract: A target well of a target delivery assembly for use in an irradiation system operative to allow irradiation of a radioisotope target via a vessel penetration of a fission reactor. The target well includes an outer tube and an inner tube disposed therein so that an annulus is formed therebetween. The target is positioned in the inner tube during irradiation. At least one flow channel extends between a bottom end of the outer tube and a bottom end of the inner tube. An elevation piston is slidably disposed within the inner tube to elevate the target, the elevation piston including a one-way check valve allowing flow in a downward direction and preventing flow in an upward direction.

Abstract: A target well of a target delivery assembly for use in an irradiation system operative to allow irradiation of a radioisotope target via a vessel penetration of a fission reactor. The target well includes an outer tube and an inner tube disposed therein so that an annulus is formed therebetween. The target is positioned in the inner tube during irradiation. At least one flow channel extends between a bottom end of the outer tube and a bottom end of the inner tube. An elevation piston is slidably disposed within the inner tube to elevate the target, the elevation piston including a one-way check valve allowing flow in a downward direction and preventing flow in an upward direction.

Abstract: A fuel bundle surrogate for the irradiation of a target material, having a plurality of tube sheaths, each tube sheath being parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the fuel bundle surrogate, a plurality of end caps, a pair of end plates, wherein the end plates are disposed at opposing ends of the plurality of tube sheaths, and a first target comprised of a first target material suitable for producing the isotope by way of a neutron capture event, wherein the first target is disposed in a first tube sheath, and wherein the first tube sheath of the plurality of tube sheaths comprises an elongated thickened wall portion and a pair of annular end portions, each annular end portion being disposed on a corresponding end of the thickened wall portion and having a wall thickness that is less than a wall thickness of the thickened wall portion.

Abstract: A defective fuel bundle location system for use with a heavy water moderated nuclear fission reactor having a fueling machine, including a test tool defining an internal volume, the test tool being configured to be received within both the fueling machine and a corresponding fuel channel of the reactor, and a test container defining an internal volume, wherein the test container is configured to be received within the internal volume of the test tool and the internal volume of the test container is configured to receive primary fluid from the reactor when the test tool is disposed within the corresponding fuel channel of the reactor.

Abstract: A target irradiation system for irradiating a radioisotope target in a vessel penetration of a fission reactor, including a target delivery assembly including a body defining a central bore, a basket that is slidably receivable within the central bore of the body, and a winch that is connected to the basket by a cable, the target delivery assembly being affixed to the vessel penetration of the reactor, and a target passage that is in fluid communication with the target delivery assembly, wherein the basket is configured to receive the radioisotope target therein via the target passage and be lowered into the vessel penetration of the reactor when irradiating the radioisotope target, and the target delivery system forms a portion of the pressure boundary of the reactor when in fluid communication with the reactor.

Abstract: A target irradiation system for irradiating a radioisotope target in a vessel penetration of a fission reactor, includes a target delivery assembly with a body defining a central bore, a basket that is slidably receivable within the central bore of the body, and a winch that is connected to the basket by a cable. The target delivery assembly is affixed to the vessel penetration of the reactor; and a target passage is in fluid communication with the target delivery assembly. The basket is configured to receive a radioisotope target therein via the target passage and be lowered into the vessel penetration of the reactor when irradiating the radioisotope target. The target delivery system forms a portion of the pressure boundary of the reactor when in fluid communication with the reactor.

Abstract: A defective fuel bundle location system for use with a heavy water moderated nuclear fission reactor having a fueling machine, including a test tool defining an internal volume, the test tool being configured to be received within both the fueling machine and a corresponding fuel channel of the reactor, and a test container defining an internal volume, wherein the test container is configured to be received within the internal volume of the test tool and the internal volume of the test container is configured to receive primary fluid from the reactor when the test tool is disposed within the corresponding fuel channel of the reactor.

Abstract: A fuel bundle surrogate for the irradiation of a target material, having a plurality of tube sheaths, each tube sheath being parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the fuel bundle surrogate, a plurality of end caps, a pair of end plates, wherein the end plates are disposed at opposing ends of the plurality of tube sheaths, and a first target comprised of a first target material suitable for producing the isotope by way of a neutron capture event, wherein the first target is disposed in a first tube sheath, and wherein the first tube sheath of the plurality of tube sheaths comprises an elongated thickened wall portion and a pair of annular end portions, each annular end portion being disposed on a corresponding end of the thickened wall portion and having a wall thickness that is less than a wall thickness of the thickened wall portion.

Abstract: A target irradiation system including an irradiated target removal system having a body defining a central bore, an elevator received within the central bore, and a docking surface for placing the irradiated target removal system in fluid communication with a vessel penetration of a reactor. A target canister slidably receives the radioisotope target therein, and the elevator is configured to receive the target canister. The elevator is lowered into the reactor when irradiating the radioisotope target, and the irradiated target removal system forms a portion of a pressure boundary of the reactor during target irradiation.

Abstract: A defective fuel bundle location system for use with a heavy water moderated nuclear fission reactor having a fueling machine, including a test tool defining an internal volume, the test tool being configured to be received within both the fueling machine and a corresponding fuel channel of the reactor, and a test container defining an internal volume, wherein the test container is configured to be received within the internal volume of the test tool and the internal volume of the test container is configured to receive primary fluid from the reactor when the test tool is disposed within the corresponding fuel channel of the reactor.

Abstract: A fuel bundle surrogate for the irradiation of a target material, having a plurality of tube sheaths, each tube sheath being parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the fuel bundle surrogate, a plurality of end caps, a pair of end plates, wherein the end plates are disposed at opposing ends of the plurality of tube sheaths, and a first target comprised of a first target material suitable for producing the isotope by way of a neutron capture event, wherein the first target is disposed in a first tube sheath, and wherein the first tube sheath of the plurality of tube sheaths comprises an elongated thickened wall portion and a pair of annular end portions, each annular end portion being disposed on a corresponding end of the thickened wall portion and having a wall thickness that is less than a wall thickness of the thickened wall portion.

Abstract: A target irradiation system for irradiating a radioisotope target in a vessel penetration of a fission reactor, including a target elevator assembly including a body portion defining a central bore and an open bottom end, a center tube that is disposed within the central bore of the body portion, a target basket that is slidably receivable within the center tube, and a winch that is connected to the target basket by a cable, wherein the target basket is configured to receive the radioisotope target therein and be lowered into the vessel penetration of the reactor when irradiating the radioisotope target.

Abstract: A defective fuel bundle location system for use with a heavy water moderated nuclear fission reactor having a fueling machine, including a test tool defining an internal volume, the test tool being configured to be received within both the fueling machine and a corresponding fuel channel of the reactor, and a test container defining an internal volume, wherein the test container is configured to be received within the internal volume of the test tool and the internal volume of the test container is configured to receive primary fluid from the reactor when the test tool is disposed within the corresponding fuel channel of the reactor.

Abstract: A target irradiation system for irradiating a radioisotope target in a vessel penetration of a fission reactor, including a target elevator assembly including a body portion defining a central bore and an open bottom end, a center tube that is disposed within the central bore of the body portion, a target basket that is slidably receivable within the center tube, and a winch that is connected to the target basket by a cable, wherein the target basket is configured to receive the radioisotope target therein and be lowered into the vessel penetration of the reactor when irradiating the radioisotope target.

Abstract: A target irradiation system for irradiating a radioisotope target in a vessel penetration of a fission reactor, including a target delivery assembly including a body defining a central bore, a basket that is slidably receivable within the central bore of the body, and a winch that is connected to the basket by a cable, the target delivery assembly being affixed to the vessel penetration of the reactor, and a target passage that is in fluid communication with the target delivery assembly, wherein the basket is configured to receive the radioisotope target therein via the target passage and be lowered into the vessel penetration of the reactor when irradiating the radioisotope target, and the target delivery system forms a portion of the pressure boundary of the reactor when in fluid communication with the reactor.

Abstract: A target irradiation system including an irradiated target removal system having a body defining a central bore, an elevator received within the central bore, and a docking surface for placing the irradiated target removal system in fluid communication with a vessel penetration of a reactor. A target canister slidably receives the radioisotope target therein, and the elevator is configured to receive the target canister. The elevator is lowered into the reactor when irradiating the radioisotope target, and the irradiated target removal system forms a portion of a pressure boundary of the reactor during target irradiation.

Abstract: A method of a method of irradiating a target material in a heavy water reactor for the production of an isotope, including the steps of providing a target comprised of a material suitable for producing the isotope by way of a neutron capture event, placing the target in a primary fluid side of the heavy water reactor, and irradiating the target.