Thulium-170 heat source
Patent
·
OSTI ID:868139
- Pleasanton, CA
- Livermore, CA
- Tracy, CA
An isotopic heat source is formed using stacks of thin individual layers of a refractory isotopic fuel, preferably thulium oxide, alternating with layers of a low atomic weight diluent, preferably graphite. The graphite serves several functions: to act as a moderator during neutron irradiation, to minimize bremsstrahlung radiation, and to facilitate heat transfer. The fuel stacks are inserted into a heat block, which is encased in a sealed, insulated and shielded structural container. Heat pipes are inserted in the heat block and contain a working fluid. The heat pipe working fluid transfers heat from the heat block to a heat exchanger for power conversion. Single phase gas pressure controls the flow of the working fluid for maximum heat exchange and to provide passive cooling.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5082617
- OSTI ID:
- 868139
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
/376/
alternating
atomic
atomic weight
block
bremsstrahlung
contain
container
controls
conversion
cooling
diluent
dual layer
encased
exchange
exchanger
facilitate
flow
fluid
fluid transfer
formed
fuel
functions
gas
gas pressure
graphite
heat
heat exchange
heat exchanger
heat pipe
heat pipes
heat source
heat transfer
individual
individual layers
inserted
insulated
irradiation
isotopic
isotopic heat
layers
maximum
maximum heat
minimize
moderator
neutron
neutron irradiation
oxide
passive
passive cooling
phase
pipe
pipes
power
power conversion
preferably
preferably graphite
pressure
pressure control
provide
radiation
refractory
sealed
serves
shielded
single
single phase
source
stacks
structural
thulium
thulium oxide
thulium-170
transfer
transfers
transfers heat
weight
alternating
atomic
atomic weight
block
bremsstrahlung
contain
container
controls
conversion
cooling
diluent
dual layer
encased
exchange
exchanger
facilitate
flow
fluid
fluid transfer
formed
fuel
functions
gas
gas pressure
graphite
heat
heat exchange
heat exchanger
heat pipe
heat pipes
heat source
heat transfer
individual
individual layers
inserted
insulated
irradiation
isotopic
isotopic heat
layers
maximum
maximum heat
minimize
moderator
neutron
neutron irradiation
oxide
passive
passive cooling
phase
pipe
pipes
power
power conversion
preferably
preferably graphite
pressure
pressure control
provide
radiation
refractory
sealed
serves
shielded
single
single phase
source
stacks
structural
thulium
thulium oxide
thulium-170
transfer
transfers
transfers heat
weight