THE DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF UO$sub 2$ FUEL SYSTEMS FOR WATER REACTOR APPLICATIONS. Third Quarterly Report, January-March 1962

Technical Report · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1962

OSTI ID:4749831

Murtha, B E; Chernock, W P

Three methods of fabricating fused UO/sub 2/ powder type fuel elements are under development. The methods are: vibratory compaction, swaging, and Rock Riting. Preliminary densification during loading was adapted to all three fabrication techniques. Depending upon the intended final process, densities between 75 and 85% T. D. (theoretical density) are attained during this predensification cycle. Densities of 89 to 90% T. D. are attained by a final high impact vibratory compaction process and densities of 90 to 92% T. D. are attained by swaging. Density variations of about plus or minus 1.5% are found in the vibratory compaction specimens and about plus or minus 1% in the swaging specimens. Tools, jigs, and fixtures were developed for projection welding square and hexagonal fuel rod clusters. As many as nine fuel rods in a layer can be welded simultaneously to a 0.062 inch diameter spacer wire. Detailed parameters are being developed for use with Type-347 stainless steel tubes having a 0.020 inch wall thickness. High pressure collapse tests are being carried out to help define the mode of collapse of free standing tubing. The t/r (thickness/ radius) ratios and pressures of greatest interest (0.8 to 1.2) were not adequately defined by the classic equations for elastic and inelastic collapse under external pressure. Collapse occurred at a pressure substantially below that predicted by either of the above theories. Studies of fuel supported tubing indicated that powder densities of about 85% T. D. are required to adequately support and maintain the shape of thin walled tubes. Helical springs and split sleeves were tested and found to be inadequate for support of 0.010 inch tube walls in the void region above the fuel. (auth)

• Research Organization: Combustion Engineering, Inc. Nuclear Div., Windsor, Conn.
• NSA Number: NSA-17-014780
• OSTI ID: 4749831
• Report Number(s): CEND-156; EURAEC-428
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

COMPACTING
DENSITY
EQUATIONS
FABRICATION
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUELS
JACKETS
LAYERS
MACHINE PARTS
MATERIALS TESTING
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
POWDERS
PRESSURE
REACTORS
RODS
SPRINGS
STAINLESS STEELS
SWAGING
THICKNESS
TOOLS
TUBES
URANIUM DIOXIDE
VARIATIONS
VIBRATIONS
WATER COOLANT
WELDING
WIRES
ZONES