Nuclear reactor fuel structure containing uranium alloy wires embedded in a metallic matrix plate

Patent · Tue Jan 19 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5431339

Travelli, A

A nuclear fuel-containing plate structure for a nuclear reactor is described; such structure comprising a pair of malleable metallic non-fissionable matrix plates having confronting surfaces which are pressure bonded together and fully united to form a bonded surface, and elongated malleable wire-like fissionable fuel members separately confined and fully enclosed between the matrix plates along the interface to afford a high fuel density as well as structural integrity and effective retention of fission products. The plates have separate recesses formed in the confronting surfaces for closely receiving the wire-like fissionable fuel members. The wire-like fissionable fuel members are made of a maleable uranium alloy capable of being formed into elongated wire-like members and capable of withstanding pressure bonding. The wire-like fissionable fuel members are completely separated and isolated by fully united portions of the interface.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4720370
• OSTI ID: 5431339
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050700* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Fuels Production & Properties
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360101 -- Metals & Alloys-- Preparation & Fabrication
ACTINIDE ALLOYS
ALLOYS
BONDING
ENERGY SOURCES
FABRICATION
FISSIONABLE MATERIALS
FUELS
JOINING
MATERIALS
NUCLEAR FUELS
PLATES
REACTOR MATERIALS
URANIUM ALLOYS
WIRES