Between-cycle laser system for depressurization and resealing of modified design nuclear fuel assemblies
Abstract
A laser beam is used to puncture fuel cladding for release of contained pressurized fission gas from plenum sections or irradiated fuel pins. Exhausted fission gases are collected and trapped for safe disposal. The laser beam, adjusted to welding mode, is subsequently used to reseal the puncture holes. The fuel assembly is returned to additional irradiation or, if at end of reactivity lifetime, is routed to reprocess. The fuel assembly design provides graded cladding lengths, by rows or arrays, such that the cladding of each component fuel element of the assembly is accessible to laser beam reception.
- Inventors:
-
- Richland, WA
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 864093
- Patent Number(s):
- 4309250
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS
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
- DOE Contract Number:
- E(45-1)-2170
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- between-cycle; laser; depressurization; resealing; modified; design; nuclear; fuel; assemblies; beam; puncture; cladding; release; contained; pressurized; fission; gas; plenum; sections; irradiated; pins; exhausted; gases; collected; trapped; safe; disposal; adjusted; welding; mode; subsequently; reseal; holes; assembly; returned; additional; irradiation; reactivity; lifetime; routed; reprocess; provides; graded; lengths; rows; arrays; component; element; accessible; reception; fuel cladding; fuel assemblies; fuel element; nuclear fuel; laser beam; fuel assembly; fuel pins; irradiated fuel; design provides; fission gas; safe disposal; assembly design; fission gases; /376/976/
Citation Formats
Bradley, John G. Between-cycle laser system for depressurization and resealing of modified design nuclear fuel assemblies. United States: N. p., 1982.
Web.
Bradley, John G. Between-cycle laser system for depressurization and resealing of modified design nuclear fuel assemblies. United States.
Bradley, John G. Fri .
"Between-cycle laser system for depressurization and resealing of modified design nuclear fuel assemblies". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/864093.
@article{osti_864093,
title = {Between-cycle laser system for depressurization and resealing of modified design nuclear fuel assemblies},
author = {Bradley, John G},
abstractNote = {A laser beam is used to puncture fuel cladding for release of contained pressurized fission gas from plenum sections or irradiated fuel pins. Exhausted fission gases are collected and trapped for safe disposal. The laser beam, adjusted to welding mode, is subsequently used to reseal the puncture holes. The fuel assembly is returned to additional irradiation or, if at end of reactivity lifetime, is routed to reprocess. The fuel assembly design provides graded cladding lengths, by rows or arrays, such that the cladding of each component fuel element of the assembly is accessible to laser beam reception.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1982},
month = {Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1982}
}
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