Ceramic reinforced zirconium alloy nuclear fuel cladding with intermediate oxidation resistant layer
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorEdward J. Lahoda
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to compositions and methods for coating a zirconium alloy (e.g., ceramic-containing) cladding tube for use with fuel rods in a nuclear water reactor. The coating includes an intermediate oxidation resistant layer and a SiC containing layer at least partially deposited on the intermediate oxidation resistant layer. The SiC containing layer can include a plurality of fibers. The SiC containing layer may also be on the outer surface of end plugs. The invention provides improved capability for the zirconium alloy cladding to withstand normal and accident conditions in the nuclear water reactor.
Claims16
A method of preparing a ceramic-containing composite nuclear fuel rod cladding for a nuclear water reactor, comprising:
- providing a zirconium alloy tube, comprising:
- a tubular wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- a cavity formed by the tubular wall;
- a first end opening;
- and
- a second end opening;
- providing a first end plug having a first outer surface;
- providing a second end plug having a second outer surface;
- inserting the first end plug into the first end opening,
- wherein the first outer surface forms a first exterior end of the cladding;
- sealing the first end plug;
- filling the fuel rod cladding with nuclear fuel and a hold down device;
- inserting the second end plug into the second end opening,
- wherein the second outer surface forms a second exterior end of the cladding;
- sealing the second end plug;
- pressurizing the cavity;
- applying a first composition comprising an oxidation resistant material, to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the tubular wall of the zirconium alloy tube to form a first exterior coating;
- following the sealing of the first and the second end plugs, applying a second composition to at least a portion of the first exterior coating to form a second exterior coating, the second exterior coating comprising:
- SiC reinforced fibers having voids formed between at least a portion of the SiC reinforced fibers;
- and
- a SiC material to at least partially fill the voids formed between at least a portion of the SiC reinforced fibers;
- and
- applying the second composition to the first outer surface of the first end plug and the second outer surface of the second end plug,
- wherein the second composition substantially encapsulates the exterior surface of the cladding including the first and second exterior ends.
A ceramic-containing composite nuclear fuel rod cladding for a nuclear water reactor, comprising:
- a zirconium alloy tube comprising a tubular wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- a cavity formed by the tubular wall, the cavity having nuclear fuel disposed therein;
- a first end opening;
- a second end opening;
- a first end plug having a first outer surface inserted in the first end opening,
- wherein the first outer surface forms a first exterior end of the cladding;
- a second end plug having a second outer surface inserted in the second end opening,
- wherein the second outer surface forms a second exterior end of the cladding;
- a first composition deposited on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the tubular wall of the zirconium alloy tube to form a first exterior coating, said first composition comprising an oxidation resistant material;
- a second composition deposited on at least a portion of the first exterior coating to form a second exterior coating, said second exterior coating comprising:
- a plurality of SiC reinforced fibers deposited on said first exterior coating to form a fiber layer, said fibers having voids formed therebetween;
- and
- a SiC material at least partially applied to the fiber layer to at least partially fill the voids;
- and
- the second composition deposited on the first outer surface of the first end plug and the second outer surface of the second end plug.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.