Title: Methods of forming triuranium disilicide structures, and related fuel rods for light water reactors

Abstract

A method of forming a triuranium disilicide structure comprises forming a mixture comprising uranium particles and silicon particles. The mixture is pressed to form a compact comprising the uranium particles and the silicon particles. The compact is subjected to an arc melting process to form a preliminary triuranium disilicide structure. The preliminary triuranium disilicide structure is subjected to a comminution process to form a fine triuranium disilicide powder. The fine triuranium disilicide powder is pressed to form a green triuranium disilicide structure. The green triuranium disilicide structure is then sintered. Additional methods of forming a triuranium disilicide structure are also described, as are fuel rods for light water reactors.

Inventors:

Harp, Jason Michael; Lessing, Paul Alan; Hoggan, Rita Elaine

Issue Date:

2018-10-23

Research Org.:

Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1490043

Patent Number(s):

10109381

Application Number:

14/746,279

Assignee:

Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (Idaho Falls, ID)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

C - CHEMISTRY C04 - CEMENTS C04B - LIME, MAGNESIA

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Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E30/30 - Nuclear fission reactors

C - CHEMISTRY C04 - CEMENTS C04B - LIME, MAGNESIA

C04B35/634 - Polymers
C04B35/5158 - {based on actinide compounds}
C04B35/6261 - {Milling}

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS

G21C3/04 - Constructional details

C - CHEMISTRY C04 - CEMENTS C04B - LIME, MAGNESIA

C04B35/65 - Reaction sintering of free metal- or free silicon-containing compositions {
C04B35/653 - Processes involving a melting step
C04B2235/77 - Density
C04B2235/3891 - Silicides, e.g. molybdenum disilicide, iron silicide
C04B2235/6567 - Treatment time
C04B2235/5445 - submicron sized, i.e. from 0,1 to 1 micron
C04B2235/5436 - micrometer sized, i.e. from 1 to 100 micron
C04B2235/6581 - Total pressure below 1 atmosphere, e.g. vacuum
C04B2235/6562 - Heating rate

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS

G21C3/58 - Solid reactor fuel {Pellets made of fissile material}

C - CHEMISTRY C04 - CEMENTS C04B - LIME, MAGNESIA

C04B35/58085 - {based on silicides}

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS

G21C21/02 - Manufacture of fuel elements or breeder elements contained in non-active casings

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC07-05ID14517

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2015 Jun 22

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; 22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS