Developing and testing a vertical sintering furnace for remote nuclear applications

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5497491· OSTI ID:5497491

Nesbitt, J F; Ryer, C M

Horizontal-type furnaces used to sinter fuel pellets on a production basis are large and thus impractical for remote applications. However, research has shown that vertical-type furnaces are adaptable for use and are cheaper to operate and maintain. In 1979, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, working under the auspices of the Department of Energy's Fuel Refabrication and Development (FRAD) Program, began developing an advanced concept for a remotely operated furnace designed specifically to sinter nuclear fuel pellets. The FRAD Program at PNL ended before the sintering of nuclear fuels could be completely verified. However during 1979, PNL performed a sufficient number and variety of tests to establish that nuclear fuel pellets can be sintered in a vertical furnace.

• Research Organization: Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (USA); Olympic Engineering, Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-06-1830
• OSTI ID: 5497491
• Report Number(s): PNL-3245
• 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
360201 -- Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories-- Preparation & Fabrication
42 ENGINEERING
420200 -- Engineering-- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
CONTROL
FABRICATION
FUEL PELLETS
FURNACES
OPERATION
PELLETS
REMOTE CONTROL
SINTERING
START-UP