Abstract: A large enhancement of neutron flux is realized when a primary target of D2O and H2O is contained in a vessel, is irradiated by an electron beam incident on a gamma converter and where the vessel is enclosed within a neutron reflector material including Nickel and Polyethylene. A very large enhancement of neutron flux is realized when a secondary target of LEU is mixed with the primary target resulting in a very large enhanced production of Molybdenum-99. The primary target and the secondary target is contained in cylindrical or spherical vessels. A process for extracting produced Mo-99 from the reaction vessel solution.
Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for detecting concealed fissile, fissionable or special nuclear material in an article, such as a shipping container, is provided. The article is irradiated with a source of fast neutrons, and fast neutrons released by the fissile or fissionable material, if present, are detected between source neutron pulses. The method uses a neutron detector that can detect and discriminate fast neutrons in the presence of thermal neutrons and gamma radiation. The detector is able to process high count rates and is resistant to radiation damage, and is preferably a solid state neutron detector comprised of silicon carbide.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 6, 2004
Date of Patent:
December 19, 2006
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Co LLC
Inventors:
Francis H. Ruddy, Abdul R. Dulloo, John G. Seidel, Thomas V. Congedo, Bojan Petrovic, Vefa N. Kucukboyaci
Abstract: A reactor core for a boiling water reactor, a fuel assembly and a control rod intended for Pu multi-recycling at a breeding ratio of about 1.0, or 1.0 or more while keeping the economical or safety performance to the same level as in a boiling water reactor now under operation. The reactor has an effective water-to-fuel volume ratio of 0.1 to 0.6 by the combination of a dense lattice fuel assembly constituted of fuel rods formed by adding Pu to degraded uranium, natural uranium, depleted uranium or low concentrated uranium, and having coolants at a high void fraction of 45% to 70% and a cluster-type, Y-type or cruciform control rod.
Abstract: Apparatus and method for decontaminating radioactive materials by stimulating the atomic system of radioactive materials. The stimulus is kept applied to the radioactive materials for a predetermined time. In this way, the rate of decay of the radioactivity of the materials is greatly accelerated and the materials are thereby decontaminated at a rate much faster than normal. The stimulus can be applied to the radioactive materials placing them within the sphere or terminal of a Van de Graaff generator and allowing them to be subjected to the electrical potential of the generator, such as in the range of 50 kilovolts to 500 kilovolts, for at least a period of 30 minutes or more.
Abstract: A process of recycling protactinium-231 to enhance the utilization of radioactively hot uranium-232 in nuclear fuel for the purpose of making both fresh and spent fuel more resistant to proliferation. The uranium-232 may be obtained by the irradiation of protactinium-231 which is normally found in the spent fuel rods of a thorium base nuclear reactor. The production of protactinium-231 and uranium-232 would be made possible by the use of the thorium uranium-233 fuel cycle in power reactors.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 16, 1980
Date of Patent:
August 17, 1982
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy