Ordered particle fuel

Abstract

A fuel element with an ordered particle fuel particle packing to improve lifetime and retention. The fuel element includes an encapsulation matrix and a plurality of coolant channels formed in the encapsulation matrix. Fuel element further includes a plurality of fuel particle matrices disposed within the encapsulation matrix. Each of the fuel particle matrices is ordered in a vertically aligned geometry or a twisted geometry to: (a) substantially laterally surround a contour of a respective coolant channel, and (b) orient substantially longitudinally or substantially helically along the respective coolant channel. For example, each of the fuel particle matrices can include a plurality of fuel particles that are a cluster around the respective coolant channel. The encapsulation matrix can be a high-temperature matrix. A fabrication method for the fuel element includes three-dimensional printing the fuel element and placing the plurality of fuel particles in selected locations in the fuel element.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.