Nuclear reactor fuel element
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorsCarl E. Johnson, Carl E. Crouthamel
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Abstract
A nuclear reactor fuel element is described which has an outer cladding, a central core of fissionable or mixed fissionable and fertile fuel material and a layer of oxygen gettering material on the inner surface of the cladding. The gettering material reacts with oxygen released by the fissionable material during irradiation of the core thereby preventing the oxygen from reacting with and corroding the cladding. Also described is an improved method for coating the inner surface of the cladding with a layer of gettering material.
Claims7
A nuclear reactor fuel element comprising:
- a tubular-shaped outer metallic cladding having an inner surface and sealed ends;
- a layer of chromium bonded to the inner surface of the cladding to form an integral member, said chromium acting as an oxygen getter to protect the cladding from corrosion;
- a central core of actinide fuel material disposed within the cladding, said core being movable relative to the cladding.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.