NUCLEAR FUEL ELEMENT
A fuel element is patented, in which the fissionable material is highly thermally conducting, protected from corrosion due to leaks in the cladding, and dimensionally stable under irradiation. The fuel element consists of a compacted mass of precoated pellets. The coatings are deformed, but not broken, during the compacting process and form a lattice with fissionable material in the cavities of the lattice. The density of the compacted mass approaches the density of a solid block of fissionable material. The pellets may be compacted by encasing them in a container of low neutron cross section. such as stainless steel or Zr alloy, and swaging or hot or cold extruding the pellet-filled container. The pellet coatings may be of metal, semi-metal, alloys, or oxides. The lattice formed by the pellet coatings helps to prevent fission products from escaping through leaks in the fuel element sheath. (M.P.G.)
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-038520
- OSTI ID:
- 4645793
- Report Number(s):
- GB 933500
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
FUEL ELEMENT CONSTRUCTION
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE FABRICATION OF NUCLEAR REACTOR ELEMENTS