Nuclear fuel element having a metal liner and a diffusion barrier. [PWR and BWR]

Patent · Tue May 10 04:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:7221110

Gordon, G M; Cowan, II, R L

An improved nuclear fuel element is disclosed for use in the core of nuclear reactors. The improved nuclear fuel element has a metal liner and a diffusion barrier disposed between the cladding and the nuclear fuel material. The diffusion barrier is in the form of a metal coating with the diffusion barrier being coated on the internal surface of the cladding in one embodiment and the diffusion barrier being coated on the outside surface of the metal liner in another embodiment. The diffusion barrier is a coating of chromium or a chromium alloy and serves to prevent any alloying or formation of low melting eutectic liquid phases between the metal liner and the cladding at elevated temperatures. The metal liner is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, nickel, and nickel alloys. 26 claims, 3 figures.

• Assignee: General Electric Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 4022662
• OSTI ID: 7221110
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210100* -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled
210200 -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled
BWR TYPE REACTORS
FUEL CANS
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL RODS
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS