High performance fuel element with end seal

Patent · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:866405

Lee, Gary E ^[1]; Zogg, Gordon J ^[1]

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1. San Diego, CA

A nuclear fuel element comprising an elongate block of refractory material having a generally regular polygonal cross section. The block includes parallel, spaced, first and second end surfaces. The first end surface has a peripheral sealing flange formed thereon while the second end surface has a peripheral sealing recess sized to receive the flange. A plurality of longitudinal first coolant passages are positioned inwardly of the flange and recess. Elongate fuel holes are separate from the coolant passages and disposed inwardly of the flange and the recess. The block is further provided with a plurality of peripheral second coolant passages in general alignment with the flange and the recess for flowing coolant. The block also includes two bypasses for each second passage. One bypass intersects the second passage adjacent to but spaced from the first end surface and intersects a first passage, while the other bypass intersects the second passage adjacent to but spaced from the second end surface and intersects a first passage so that coolant flowing through the second passages enters and exits the block through the associated first passages.

• Research Organization: GA TECHNOLOGIES INC
• DOE Contract Number: AT03-76SF70046
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4704248
• OSTI ID: 866405
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/376/976/
adjacent
alignment
associated
block
bypass
bypasses
comprising
coolant
coolant flow
coolant flowing
coolant passage
coolant passages
disposed
element
element comprising
elongate
enters
exits
flange
flowing
flowing coolant
formed
formed thereon
fuel
fuel element
holes
intersects
inwardly
longitudinal
material
nuclear
nuclear fuel
parallel
passage
passages
performance
performance fuel
peripheral
peripheral seal
plurality
polygonal
positioned
provided
receive
recess
refractory
refractory material
regular
seal
sealing
sealing flange
section
separate
sized
spaced
surface
surfaces
thereon