An innovative conceptual design and theoretical assessment of online production of short-lived radionuclides in nuclear reactors

• Published in: Nuclear engineering and design 2024-10, Vol.427, p.113420, Article 113420
• Main Authors: Vagheian, Mehran, Zandi, Nadia, Akbari, Reza, Sardari, Dariush, Ranjbar, Nafise
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coupled DRAGON; Efficient reactor-based production; GenPMAX; Moving target method; Online radionuclide irradiation method; PARCS codes simulation; Short half-life radionuclide production; Tehran Research Reactor (TRR); Transient condition simulation
• ISSN: 0029-5493
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2024.113420

This paper introduces a novel conceptual design and theoretical assessment of short-lived radionuclide production using an online reactor-based approach. The proposed design involves a vertically positioned tube containing water parallel to the reactor pool, enabling the encapsulated targets to move at variable velocities. Theoretical assessments were conducted to calculate the production yield and specific activity (SA) by considering factors such as the target burnup and destruction. The results revealed complex SA variations during irradiation, which were primarily dependent on the bombardment time (or target movement velocity) and neutron flux. Furthermore, the impact of sample insertion on reactor reactivity was analyzed using perturbation theory. It was demonstrated that the induced reactivity by the proposed online method was negligible. A comprehensive neutronic and thermo-hydraulic analysis of transient conditions, including sample movement in the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) using the coupled DRAGON, GenPMAX, and PARCS codes, ensures the reliability and safety of the proposed online radionuclide production approach. Overall, the assessment indicated a significant enhancement in the production yield achievable with the proposed online method, which was attributed to its short post-irradiation time and potential for large-scale production by enabling the simultaneous and continuous production of radionuclides with different masses of materials. This innovative approach is promising for advancing radionuclide production techniques. •Introduces a novel conceptual design and theoretical framework for short-lived radionuclide production.•The proposed design features a vertically positioned tube containing water parallel to the reactor pool.•Theoretical assessments calculate production yield and specific activity (SA).•Results indicate a significant enhancement in production yield with the proposed online method.•A comprehensive neutronic and thermo-hydraulic analysis of transient conditions has been performed using the DRAGON, GenPMAX, and PARCS codes.