Abstract and subjects
Nuclear transmutation reactions are based on the absorption of a smaller particle such as a neutron, proton, deuteron, alpha, etc. The resulting compound nucleus gets out of its initial lattice mainly by taking the recoil, also with help from its sudden change in chemical properties. The recoil implantation is used in correlation with thin and ultra thin materials mainly for producing radiopharmaceuticals and ultra-thin layer radioactive tracers. In nuclear reactors, the use of nano-particulate pellets could facilitate the recoil implantation for breeding, transmutation, and partitioning purposes. Using enriched U-238 or Th-232 leads to Pu-239 and U-233 production while using other actinides such as Pu-240, Am-241 etc. leads to actinide burning. When such a lattice is immersed into a radiation resistant fluid (water, methanol, etc.), the recoiled product is transferred into the flowing fluid and removed from the hot area using a concentrator/purifier, thus preventing the occurrence of secondary transmutation reactions.