| 1) Lithium 6
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This is an isotope of lithium 7 and occupies about 7% of natural lithium. It is ab-
sorbent of neutrons like those of boron. Conventional reactors use the control rods
made of boron but RAPID-L uses lithium 6 to control the reactor. As the melting
temperature of lithium is 181°C, lithium is in the liquid phase during operation of
RAPID-L (the temperature is 1,100°C at nominal operation). LEM, LIM and LRM
uses 95% enriched lithium 6.
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| 2) Neutron radiography
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A technique for seeing through an object making use of the neutron's property of
transmitting objects. This sometimes enables looking into an object that cannot be
viewed with X-rays.
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| 3) Thermoelectric conversion
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A power generation method based on the phenomenon (Seebeck effect) with which
electromotive force is produced when a difference in temperature is applied to a
semiconductor such as BiTe (bismuth telluride) or SiGe (silicon-germanium). It has
already been used in US space satellites and its high reliability has been proven.
Recently this system has focused attention to make use of waste heat for energy
saving and global warming prevention. However, it has the disadvantage that it
exhibits low energy conversion efficiency.
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| 4) Compliant pads (Stress relief pads)
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Cushions that provide both high heat flux stress relief. When they are inserted
between the thermoelectric converter elements and a heating/cooling duct, the
output power and durability of the thermoelectric cells can be improved.
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