SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HARVESTING OF ACTIVATED IRRADIATION TARGETS FROM A NUCLEAR REACTOR AND RADIONUCLIDE GENERATION SYSTEM

摘要

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 quantity (16') of the activated irradiation targets (16) over the apex (50) and retaining the other quantity (16") of the targets (16) in the discharge tube (38) by means of the apex (50). Systems for generating radionuclides and harvesting activated irradiation targets adapted to the above method are also provided.