Carbide-based fuel assembly for thermal propulsion applications

Patent · Tue Jul 25 04:00:00 EDT 2023

OSTI ID:2222015

Barringer, Eric A.; Jensen, Russell R.; Gustafson, Jeremy L.; Ales, Matt; Bergman, Joshua J.; Swanson, Ryan T.; Witter, Jonathan K.; Galicki, Danny; Inman, James B.; Krecicki, Matt; Ridgeway, Roger

Carbide-based fuel assembly includes outer structural member of ceramic matrix composite material (e.g., SiC—SiC composite), insulation layer of porous refractory ceramic material (e.g., zirconium carbide with open-cell foam structure or fibrous zirconium carbide), and interior structural member of refractory ceramic-graphite composite material (e.g., zirconium carbide-graphite or niobium carbide-graphite). Spacer structures between various layers provide a defined and controlled spacing relationship. A fuel element bundle positioned between support meshes includes a plurality of distributively arranged fuel elements or a solid, unitary fuel element with coolant channels, each having a fuel composition including high assay, low enriched uranium (HALEU). Fuel assemblies are distributively arranged in a moderator block and the upper end of the outer structural member is attached to a metallic inlet tube for hydrogen propellant and the lower end of the outer structural member is interfaced with a support plate, forming a nuclear thermal propulsion reactor.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC, Lynchburg, VA (United States); BWXT Nuclear Energy, Inc., Charlotte, NC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-05ID14517
• Assignee: BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC (Lynchburg, VA); BWXT Nuclear Energy, Inc. (Charlotte, NC)
• Patent Number(s): 11,710,578
• Application Number: 17/399,881
• OSTI ID: 2222015
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English