FUEL ELEMENTS FOR NUCLEAR REACTORS

Patent · Mon Oct 23 00:00:00 EDT 1961

OSTI ID:4694258

A fuel element comprising a fuel member enclosed in a protective sheath and having a tubular or annular capsule containing a radioactive gas, Kr/sup 85/ or Rn, disposed within the fuel member, is described. If the fuel element develops a leak during operation in a CO/sub 2/ cooled reactor so that the fuel member is oxidized, the insulating effect of the oxide formed causes the temperature of the fuel member to rise and the capsule to melt. This leads to release of the radioactive gas, which has a greater pressure than the coolant and so diffuses out through the leak. The resulting pulse of radioactivity in the coolant warns of a leak. (NPO)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-17-042261
• OSTI ID: 4694258
• Report Number(s): FR 1277811
• Country of Publication: France
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CARBON DIOXIDE
FUEL CANS
FUEL ELEMENTS
GAS COOLANT
KRYPTON 85
LEAK DETECTORS
LEAKS
MELTING
OXIDATION
RADIOACTIVITY
RADON
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
REACTORS
THERMAL INSULATION