Patent ID: 7970095
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: G21C,G21G,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A radioisotope production structure for use in a nuclear fuel assembly, the structure comprising: a tie plate attachment shaped to fit below a tie plate in the nuclear fuel assembly in an axial direction, the tie plate attachment defining at least one retention bore not passing entirely through the tie plate attachment, the tie plate attachment fabricated of a material that substantially maintains its physical and neutronic properties when exposed to the neutron flux in an operating nuclear reactor, the tie plate attachment further including a plurality of holes shaped and positioned to permit an end plug of a fuel rod of the nuclear fuel assembly to pass through the tie plate attachment and into the tie plate, the tie plate attachment being maintainable in an axial position by a shoulder at the joining of the fuel rod and the end plug; and at least one irradiation target configured to substantially convert to a radioisotope when exposed to a neutron flux in an operating nuclear reactor, the at least one irradiation target being placed in a corresponding retention bore such that at least a portion of the at least one irradiation target is embedded inside of the tie plate attachment.