JACKETED URANIUM SLUG

Patent · Wed Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1958

OSTI ID:4282302

Ohlinger, L A; Cooper, C M

Fuel elements for nuclear reactors are described. Eacb fuel element is comprised of a solid cylindrical slug containing fissionable material enclosed within a fluid tight jacket of neutron permeable material such as aluminum. The jacket is provided with a flexible end cap and with a sealing member having a substantially fluid-tight fit within the jacket in tight abutment with the end cap and the end of the slug. A fluid passage is provided between the end of the slug and the cap whereby leakage fiuid is principally directed to the end of the slug. In this manner, any reaction between the fissionable material and fiuid which may take place occurs more rapidly at the end of the slug than along the sides between the slug and the jacket, thereby causing longitudinal expansion of the fuel element prior to radial expansion. The longitudinal expansion can be readily detected and the fuel element removed from the coolant tube before radial expansion causes it to become jammed in the tube.

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-13-008355
• Assignee: U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
• Patent Number(s): US 2855355
• OSTI ID: 4282302
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALUMINUM
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COOLANT LOOPS
COOLANTS
CYLINDERS
DETECTION
DIFFUSION
EXPANSION
FISSIONABLE MATERIALS
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
FUEL ELEMENTS
JACKETS
LEAKS
MACHINE PARTS
NEUTRONS
PATENTS
REACTORS
RODS
SEALS
TUBES
URANIUM