Abstract: A method for harvesting activated irradiation targets from an instrumentation tube system of a nuclear reactor comprises: Coupling the instrumentation tube system to a discharge tube having an apex, exit port and lock element between the apex and exit port; Passing the activated irradiation targets from the instrumentation tube system into the discharge tube and blocking movement of said targets out of the discharge tube using the lock element; Separating a predefined quantity of the targets from another quantity of targets in the discharge tube by passing the predefined quantity of targets over the apex, retaining the remainder in the discharge tube by means of the apex; Coupling the exit port to a storage container and releasing the lock element to pass via gravity the predefined quantity of targets into the storage container. Systems for generating radionuclides and harvesting activated irradiation targets adapted to the above method are also provided.

Abstract: An irradiation target processing system for insertion and retrieving irradiation targets into and from an instrumentation tube in a nuclear reactor core comprises, a target retrieving system, target insertion system and transport gas supply system, mounted on a movable support, wherein: the target retrieving system comprises a target exit port coupled to a target storage container and exhaust system; the target insertion system comprises a target filling device, target retention tubing with target supply junction connectable to the instrumentation tube, and a target diverter coupled to the target filling device, target retention tubing and target retrieving system; and the transport gas supply system comprises a first gas supply tubing coupled to the exit port of the target retrieving system, a second gas supply tubing coupled to a junction for supplying gas to the instrumentation tube, and a transport gas supply junction coupled to the first and second gas supply tubing.

Abstract: A method for harvesting activated irradiation targets (16) from an instrumentation tube system (12) of a nuclear reactor comprises the steps of: Coupling the instrumentation tube system (12) to a discharge tube (38) having an apex (50), an exit port (40) and a lock element (44) between the apex (50) and the exit port (40); Passing the activated irradiation targets (16) from the instrumentation tube system (12) into the discharge tube (38) and blocking movement of the activated irradiation targets (16) out of the discharge tube (38) by means of the lock element (44); Separating a predefined quantity (16?) of the activated irradiated targets (16) from another quantity (16?) of the targets (16) in the discharge tube (38); Coupling the exit port (40) to a storage container (42) and releasing the lock element (44) to pass the predefined quantity (16?) of the activated irradiation targets (16) under action of gravity into the storage container (42); wherein said separating step comprises passing the predefined quan

Abstract: An irradiation target processing system for insertion and retrieving irradiation targets into and from an instrumentation tube in a nuclear reactor core comprises, a target retrieving system, target insertion system and transport gas supply system, mounted on a movable support, wherein: the target retrieving system comprises a target exit port coupled to a target storage container and exhaust system; the target insertion system comprises a target filling device, target retention tubing with target supply junction connectable to the instrumentation tube, and a target diverter coupled to the target filling device, target retention tubing and target retrieving system; and the transport gas supply system comprises a first gas supply tubing coupled to the exit port of the target retrieving system, a second gas supply tubing coupled to a junction for supplying gas to the instrumentation tube, and a transport gas supply junction coupled to the first and second gas supply tubing.