Process for forming a chromium oxide insulating layer between the pellets and the cladding of a nuclear fuel element, and fuel element having such an insulating layer
US5137683A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 1990 |
| Grant date | Aug 11, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 20, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC23C16/405
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An organometallic chromium compound in the gaseous phase is brought into contact with a substrate consisting of the inner surface of the zirconium alloy tubular cladding (5) of the fuel element, or the outer surface of the pellets of fuel material, the substrate being kept at a temperature between 300.degree. and 600.degree. C. The organo metallic compound may consist of chromium acetylacetonate. The process enables a chromium oxide coating to be obtained inside the tubular cladding (5) and/or on the outer surface of the nuclear fuel pellets. Pellet/cladding interaction is thus prevented or limited when this fuel element is used in the reactor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.