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U.S. Department of Energy
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Burnable neutron absorber element

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6720829

A burnable thermal neutron absorber element is described comprising: a zirconium alloy elongated tubular container having an inside diameter surface; hydrogen diffusion barrier means for limiting hydrogen diffusion from within the container into the zirconium alloy; a boron-containing burnable thermal neutron absorber material sealed within the zirconium alloy elongated container, the boron-containing burnable absorber material being in a particle form, the particles of absorber material being coated with a diffusion barrier material; zirconium hydride sealed within the zirconium alloy elongated container, the zirconium hydride being in a partially hydrided condition and having a H to Zr ratio on an atomic basis in the range of about 1.0 to about 1.8; the burnable thermal neutron absorber material and the zirconium hydride distributed along the length of the zirconium alloy elongated container; and the zirconium hydride acts as a neutron moderator thereby enhancing the neutron capture efficiency of the burnable thermal neutron absorber.

Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
Patent Number(s):
US 4751041
OSTI ID:
6720829
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English