Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FUEL ELEMENTS FOR NUCLEAR REACTORS

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4797487

The common practice of filling the space between the fuel member and the sheath with helium at up to 250 mm Hg pressure entails the possibility of air leak through the temporary seal over the open end prior to final sealing with an end cap. This problem, which can result in hot spots from the nitrogen overpressure at high temperatures, is solved by employing a helium-- oxygen mixture at atmospheric pressure as the filling gas, sealing the sheath, and heating the fuel element so that the oxygen is taken up by the fuel member. The gas mixture is preferably 5 vol% helium and 95 vol % oxygen. (D.L.C.)

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-16-012716
OSTI ID:
4797487
Report Number(s):
GB 891179
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English