Spallation source target, its cooling and use

摘要

Target for a liquid cooled spallation source comprising a liquid reserve (target liquid) (1) in the path of incident radiation (4) capable of vapourizing the liquid, a heat sink (3) for condensing vapour positioned above the liquid reserve and a gravity-flow return path from the heat sink to the reserve (1). The phase transition of the liquid to vapour is utilized to remove heat from the target, and the vapourized liquid is cooled, condensed and recirculated. By mixing suitably processed heavy alpha -emitters or long-lived radio-isotopes with the liquid these can be destroyed by spallation and/ or neutron capture, or alternatively nuclear fuel can be improved by being mixed into the liquid and being subjected to breeder reactions. IMAGE