Induced nuclear reactions: processes – systems – and elements – Nuclear transmutation – By neutron bombardment
Patent
1990-07-17
1992-11-03
Hunt, Brooks H.
Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements
Nuclear transmutation
By neutron bombardment
376195, 376170, G21G 102
Patent
active
051606968
ABSTRACT:
Apparatus for nuclear transmutation and power production using an intense accelerator-generated thermal neutron flux. High thermal neutron fluxes generated from the action of a high power proton accelerator on a spallation target allows the efficient burn-up of higher actinide nuclear waste by a two-step process. Additionally, rapid burn-up of fission product waste for nuclides having small thermal neutron cross sections, and the practicality of small material inventories while achieving significant throughput derive from employment of such high fluxes. Several nuclear technology problems are addressed including 1. nuclear energy production without a waste stream requiring storage on a geological timescale, 2. the burn-up of defense and commercial nuclear waste, and 3. the production of defense nuclear material. The apparatus includes an accelerator, a target for neutron production surrounded by a blanket region for transmutation, a turbine for electric power production, and a chemical processing facility. In all applications, the accelerator power may be generated internally from fission and the waste produced thereby is transmuted internally so that waste management might not be required beyond the human lifespan.
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Freund Samuel M.
Gaetjens Paul D.
Hunt Brooks H.
Moser William R.
The United States of America as represented by The United States
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