ECONOMICAL PRODUCTION OF ISOTOPES USING QUANTIZED TARGET IRRADIATION

摘要

A process for producing isotopes by continuously flowing a liquid stream, carrying capsules of target nuclei (NP-237) in solution, through a nuclear reactor (a TRIGA style nuclear reactor). Upon removal from the core of the nuclear reactor and after allowing for the decay of Np-238 to Pu-238, the capsules are emptied and the mixture of elements and isotopes are chemically separated using solvent extraction or ion exchange. Isotopes that are capable of further processing into Pu-238 are recycled to the core for further processing