Process for rapid processing of SiC and graphitic matrix TRISO-bearing pebble fuels
AssigneeUltra Safe Nuclear Corporation
InventorFrancesco Venneri
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for producing microencapsulated fuel pebble fuel more rapidly and with a matrix that engenders added safety attributes. The method includes coating fuel particles with ceramic powder; placing the coated fuel particles in a first die; applying a first current and a first pressure to the first die so as to form a fuel pebble by direct current sintering. The method may further include removing the fuel pebble from the first die and placing the fuel pebble within a bed of non-fueled matrix ceramic in a second die; and applying a second current and a second pressure to the second die so as to form a composite fuel pebble.
Claims14
A method, comprising:
- coating fuel particles with ceramic powder;
- placing the coated fuel particles in a first die;
- applying a first pressure to the first die so as to form a fuel pebble by sintering;
- machining the fuel pebble to smooth an outer surface of the fuel pebble;
- and placing the fuel pebble in a helium environment in a pebble bed reactor.
A method, comprising:
- coating fuel particles with ceramic powder;
- placing the coated fuel particles in a first die;
- applying a first pressure to the first die so as to form a fuel pebble by sintering;
- removing the fuel pebble from the first die and placing the fuel pebble within a bed of non-fueled matrix ceramic in a second die, wherein the non-fueled matrix ceramic comprises graphite;
- applying a second pressure to the second die so as to form a composite fuel pebble;
- and
- placing the composite fuel pebble in a helium environment in a pebble bed reactor.
A method, comprising:
- coating fuel particles with ceramic powder;
- placing the coated fuel particles in a first die;
- applying a first pressure to the first die so as to form a fuel pebble by sintering;
- removing the fuel pebble from the first die and placing the fuel pebble within a bed of non-fueled matrix ceramic in a second die, wherein the non-fueled matrix ceramic comprises silicon carbide and wherein the non-fueled matrix ceramic further comprises sintering additives selected from the group consisting of Al2O3 and Y2O3 and combinations thereof;
- applying a second pressure to the second die so as to form a composite fuel pebble;
- and
- placing the composite fuel pebble in a helium environment in a pebble bed reactor.
A pebble bed reactor, comprising:
- a plurality of nuclear fuel pebbles placed in a helium environment, each of the nuclear fuel pebbles comprising:
- an inner fuel pebble including fuel particles within a fully ceramic matrix,
- wherein each of the nuclear fuel pebbles further comprises a non-fueled matrix ceramic surrounding the inner fuel pebble, and the non-fueled matrix ceramic comprises graphite;
- and
- wherein the non-fueled matrix ceramic further comprises phenolic or other resin binder.
A pebble bed reactor, comprising:
- a plurality of nuclear fuel pebbles placed in a helium environment, each of the nuclear fuel pebbles comprising:
- an inner fuel pebble including fuel particles within a fully ceramic matrix;
- wherein each of the nuclear fuel pebbles further comprises a non-fueled matrix ceramic surrounding the inner fuel pebble, and the non-fueled matrix ceramic comprises silicon carbide;
- and
- wherein the non-fueled matrix ceramic further comprises sintering additives selected from the group consisting of Al2O3 and Y2O3 and combinations thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.