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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO REACTOR FUELS

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4009842
A process is given for producing uranium carbide fuel material enriched with plutonium, for use in fast reactors. The process comprises taking a powder of mixed uranium and plutonium carbides of size 2 to 4 mu , a carbon content of 48 to 53 at.% and an oxygen content below 1 wt%, compacting the powder into pellets, and sintering the pellets in an inert atmosphere. The inert atmosphere should be argon containing less than 10 ppm oxygen and 10 ppm water, and the sintering should be conducted at approximates 1550 deg C. The atomic ratio of plutonium to uranium is 15 to 85, and the carbon content is preferably 53 at.%. The process should be carried out rapidly so that no oxygen or water is introduced into the fuel. (D.L.C.)
Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-18-020507
OSTI ID:
4009842
Report Number(s):
GB 954720
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English