Thulium-170 heat source
Abstract
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.
- Inventors:
-
- Pleasanton, CA
- Livermore, CA
- Tracy, CA
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 868139
- Patent Number(s):
- 5082617
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F28 - HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL F28D - HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21H - OBTAINING ENERGY FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- thulium-170; heat; source; isotopic; formed; stacks; individual; layers; refractory; fuel; preferably; thulium; oxide; alternating; atomic; weight; diluent; graphite; serves; functions; moderator; neutron; irradiation; minimize; bremsstrahlung; radiation; facilitate; transfer; inserted; block; encased; sealed; insulated; shielded; structural; container; pipes; contain; fluid; pipe; transfers; exchanger; power; conversion; single; phase; gas; pressure; controls; flow; maximum; exchange; provide; passive; cooling; atomic weight; individual layers; transfers heat; neutron irradiation; power conversion; dual layer; passive cooling; heat pipe; heat exchange; heat exchanger; heat transfer; heat source; gas pressure; single phase; heat pipes; maximum heat; isotopic heat; fluid transfer; pressure control; thulium oxide; preferably graphite; /376/
Citation Formats
Walter, Carl E, Van Konynenburg, Richard, and VanSant, James H. Thulium-170 heat source. United States: N. p., 1992.
Web.
Walter, Carl E, Van Konynenburg, Richard, & VanSant, James H. Thulium-170 heat source. United States.
Walter, Carl E, Van Konynenburg, Richard, and VanSant, James H. Wed .
"Thulium-170 heat source". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/868139.
@article{osti_868139,
title = {Thulium-170 heat source},
author = {Walter, Carl E and Van Konynenburg, Richard and VanSant, James H},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1992},
month = {1}
}