Molybdenum-lined crucible
AssigneeX-energy, LLC
InventorNick Lineen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A crucible used for forming ceramic particles from metal oxide gel particles includes a tubular graphite housing having an open end, an inner surface, and a seat in the inner surface near the open end. A sleeve lines the inner surface of the tubular housing. The sleeve has at an open end and is formed from a metal which is chemically inert to the metal oxide gel particles. A graphite outer cap removably covers the open end of the tubular housing. An inner cap formed from the chemically inert metal fits into the seat in the inner surface of the tubular housing, and is pressed into the seat against the open end of the sleeve by the outer cap. The crucible may be used for forming ceramic particles from uranium oxide gel particles, and the sleeve and the inner cap may be formed from molybdenum, tungsten, or an alloy thereof.
Claims17
A crucible for forming ceramic particles from metal oxide gel particles, comprising:
- a tubular housing formed of graphite having at least one open end, an inner surface, and a seat in the inner surface near the at least one open end;
- a sleeve lining the inner surface of the tubular housing, wherein the sleeve has at least one open end and is formed from a metal which is chemically inert with regard to the metal oxide gel particles;
- a graphite outer cap removably covering the at least one open end of the tubular housing;
- and
- an inner cap formed from the chemically inert metal;
- wherein:
- the inner cap is configured to fit into the seat in the inner surface of the tubular housing;
- and
- the outer cap is configured to press the inner cap into the seat against the open end of the sleeve.
A crucible for forming ceramic uranium-containing particles from uranium oxide gel particles, comprising:
- a tubular housing formed of graphite having at least one open end, an inner surface, and a seat in the inner surface near the at least one open end;
- a sleeve lining the inner surface of the tubular housing, wherein the sleeve has at least one open end and is formed from molybdenum or an alloy thereof;
- an outer cap removably covering the at least one open end of the tubular housing;
- and
- an inner cap formed from molybdenum or an alloy thereof;
- wherein:
- the inner cap is configured to fit into the seat in the inner surface of the tubular housing;
- and
- the outer cap is configured to press the inner cap into the seat against the open end of the sleeve.
A crucible for forming ceramic uranium- containing particles from uranium oxide gel particles, comprising:
- a tubular housing formed of graphite having at least one open end, an inner surface, and a seat in the inner surface near the at least one open end;
- a sleeve lining the inner surface of the tubular housing, wherein the sleeve has at least one open end;
- an outer cap removably covering the at least one open end of the tubular housing;
- and
- an inner cap;
- wherein:
- the inner cap is configured to fit into the seat in the inner surface of the tubular housing;
- and
- the outer cap is configured to press the inner cap into the seat against the open end of the sleeve;
- and
- wherein the sleeve and the inner cap are formed from molybdenum, a molybdenum alloy, tungsten, or a tungsten alloy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.