Sintering nuclear fuel pellets
US4158681A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 1977 |
| Grant date | Jun 19, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 14, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Sintering nuclear fuel pellets of nuclear fuel oxides having oxygen in stoichiometric excess of the dioxides by passing the nuclear fuel pellets through a reduction furnace having a reducing atmosphere under regulated exposure time or residence time to produce reduced nuclear fuel oxides of desired oxygen content. The reduced pellets are cooled and sent to an intermediate station for checking or holding. The cooled pellets from the intermediate station are sent through a sintering furnace with means for independently regulating the exposure time or residence time in the sintering furnace. Additional features are the independent control of the atmospheres and temperature as well as the humidity concentration in each furnace. Less expensive nitrogen gas may efficiently be used in the process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.