Bwxt Isotope Technology Group, Inc.

Mark A Alboino

Benjamin D Fisher

Thomas G Onderwater

Andrew F Long

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.

Target irradiation systems for the production of radioisotopes

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.

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.

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Toronto, Canada

Mark A Alboino