Improved encapsulated fuel unit and method of forming same
This invention teaches an encapsulated fuel unit for a nuclear reactor, such as for an enriched uranium fuel plate of thin cross section of the order of 1/64 or 1/8 of an inch and otherwise of rectangular shape 1 to 2 inches wide and 2 to 4 inches long. The case is formed from (a) two similar channel-shaped half sections extended lengthwise of the elongated plate and having side edges butted and welded together to define an open ended tube-like structure and from (b) porous end caps welded across the open ends of the tube-like structure. The half sections are preferably of stainless steel between 0.002 and 0.01 of an inch thick, and are beam welded together over and within machined and hardened tool steel chill blocks. The porous end caps preferably are of T-316-L stainless steel having pores of approximately 3 to 10 microns size.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- Assignee:
- ERA-08-053934; EDB-83-176333
- Patent Number(s):
- None
- Application Number:
- ON: DE83018099
- OSTI ID:
- 5714747
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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