Nuclear fuel pebble and method of manufacturing the same
US9786391B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 16, 2016 |
| Grant date | Oct 10, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of manufacturing nuclear fuel elements may include: forming a graphite base portion of the fuel element; depositing a first layer of graphite spheres on the base portion; depositing a first layer of fuel, burnable poison and/or breeder particles on the first layer of graphite spheres; forming a second layer of graphite spheres on the first layer of particles; depositing a second layer of fuel, burnable poison and/or breeder particles on the second layer of graphite spheres; and forming a graphite cap portion of the fuel element. Fuel, burnable poison and/or breeder particles of the first layer may be are spaced apart by substantially the same distance, and fuel, burnable poison and/or breeder particles of the second layer may be spaced apart by substantially the same distance. The fuel element may be a spherical fuel pebble. The fuel particles may be tri-structural-isotropic (TRISO) particles without an overcoat.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.