Controlled atmosphere sintering process for urania containing silica additive
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorMickey O. Marlowe
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Abstract
Improved method of sintering for the manufacture of nuclear fuel comprising a fissionable ceramic material including a silica containing additive. The method includes controlling the sintering atmosphere to impede loss through vaporization of the silica.
Claims17
A method of producing a fissionable nuclear fuel product comprising a compacted body of an oxide of uranium containing silica, comprising the step of sintering the silica containing particulate oxide of uranium at a temperature of at least about 1600° C. in a controlled sintering atmosphere providing and maintaining a partial molar free energy of oxygen greater than −90 kilocalories per mole.
A method of producing a fissionable nuclear fuel product comprising a compacted body of particulate oxides of uranium containing a silica constituent, comprising sintering the silica constituent containing particulate oxides of uranium at a temperature of at least about 1600° C. in a controlled sintering atmosphere containing oxygen maintained at a partial pressure providing a partial molar free energy of the oxygen content greater than −90 kilocalories per mole.
A method of producing a fissionable nuclear fuel product comprising a compacted body of particulate oxide of uranium containing a silica constituent, comprising sintering the silica constituent containing particulate oxides of uranium at a temperature of at least about 1600° C. in a controlled sintering atmosphere containing oxygen which is increased to and maintained at a partial pressure providing a partial molar free energy of the oxygen content greater than −90 kilocalories per mole of oxygen.
A method of producing a fissionable nuclear fuel product comprising a compacted body of particulate oxide of uranium containing a silica constituent, comprising sintering the silica constituent containing particulate oxide of uranium at a temperature of at least about 1600° C. up to about 2200° C. in a controlled atmosphere comprising a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide proportioned to produce and maintain an oxygen partial pressure providing a partial molar free energy of oxygen content greater than −90 kilocalories per oxygen mole.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.