Hydride damage resistant fuel elements
US5434897A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jul 18, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A cladding tube is provided having an axis and a cross-section perpendicular to the axis. The cross-section includes (1) an outer circumferential substrate having an inner surface, (2) a zirconium barrier layer bonded to the inner surface of the outer circumferential substrate, and (3) an inner circumferential liner bonded to the inner surface of the zirconium barrier layer. The inner circumferential liner includes a plurality of facets aligned substantially in parallel with the cladding tube axis. The facets--which define the geometry of the cladding interior--facilitate mixing among the gases in the cladding interior. Also provided is a fuel element including (1) a cladding tube having an faceted inner liner as described above, (2) nuclear fuel material disposed within said cladding tube in a fuel region, and (3) a plenum or plenums located in one or both end regions (beyond the nuclear fuel region) within the cladding tube. In the event of steam entering the cladding interior, the plenum(s) serves as a reservoir making steam available to dilute locally high hydrogen/steam regions. At least a portion of the nuclear fuel is a uranium dioxide having an oxygen to uranium mole ratio …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.