US 11,842,823 B2
Nuclear reactor irradiation systems and methods
Jeffrey A. Katalenich, Richland, WA (US); Bruce D. Reid, Pasco, WA (US); Robert O. Gates, Kennewick, WA (US); Andrew W. Prichard, Pasco, WA (US); Bruce E. Schmitt, Kennewick, WA (US); and Jim Livingston, Vienna, VA (US)
Assigned to Battelle Memorial Institute, Richland, WA (US)
Filed by Battelle Memorial Institute, Richland, WA (US)
Filed on Jun. 15, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/902,177.
Application 16/902,177 is a division of application No. 15/476,870, filed on Mar. 31, 2017, granted, now 10,685,757.
Prior Publication US 2020/0312475 A1, Oct. 1, 2020
Int. Cl. G21G 1/02 (2006.01); G21G 1/00 (2006.01); H05H 6/00 (2006.01); G21C 3/58 (2006.01); G21C 3/28 (2006.01); C22B 60/04 (2006.01); C01G 56/00 (2006.01)
CPC G21G 1/02 (2013.01) [G21G 1/001 (2013.01); H05H 6/00 (2013.01); C01G 56/004 (2013.01); C01G 56/005 (2013.01); C22B 60/04 (2013.01); G21C 3/28 (2013.01); G21C 3/58 (2013.01); G21G 2001/0094 (2013.01); Y02E 30/30 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A reactor irradiation method comprising:
irradiating Np or Am spheres within a target assembly of a nuclear reactor to form reacted spheres comprising Pu, the target assembly defining a solid core within an exterior housing, and a void between the exterior housing and the solid core, wherein the spheres occupy at least a portion of the void;
the irradiating comprising exposing the spheres to a neutron energy spectrum while the spheres are in the void of the target assembly to form irradiated spheres;
removing the irradiated spheres from the void of the target assembly; and
treating the irradiated spheres to recover unreacted Np or Am, and Pu.