Fuel boxes and a method for manufacturing fuel boxes
AssigneeABB Atom AB
InventorMats Dahlback
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fuel box for a nuclear fuel bundle for a boiling water reactor is manufactured by zirconium alloy plates. The plates have a composition such that the material after beta quenching and heat treatment will have a ductile, so called basketweave structure.
Claims17
A method for manufacturing zirconium alloy plate material for manufacturing fuel boxes for boiling water reactors, the method comprising:
- providing a material that comprises zirconium alloy;
- volatile impurities comprising 1 to 10 ppm chlorine and 5 to 20 ppm of at least one of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium;
- 100 to 270 ppm carbon;
- 50 to 120 ppm silicon;
- and 1 to 30 ppm phosphorus;
- working the material to a finished or nearly finished dimension;
- beta quenching the material to give the material a basketweave structure;
- and
- heat treating the material at a temperature of 600.degree. C. to 800.degree. C. in a static furnace or 700.degree. C. to 800.degree. C. in a continuous furnace.
The method according to claim wherein the working step comprises forging and further comprising:
- heat treating the material between two forging operations at 450.degree. C. to 500.degree. C. to precipitate silicides and secondary phase particles.
A fuel box manufactured by a method comprising:
- providing a material that comprises zirconium alloy;
- volatile impurities comprising 1 to 10 ppm chlorine and 5 to 20 ppm of at least one of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium;
- 100 to 270 ppm carbon;
- 50 to 120 ppm silicon;
- and 1 to 30 ppm phosphorus;
- working the material to a finished or nearly finished dimension;
- beta quenching the material to give the material a basketweave structure;
- and
- heat treating the material at a temperature of 600.degree. C. to 800.degree. C. in a static furnace or 700.degree. C. to 800.degree. C. in a continuous furnace.
A method for manufacturing zirconium alloy plate material for manufacturing fuel boxes for boiling water reactors, the method comprising:
- providing a material that comprises zirconium alloy;
- volatile impurities comprising 1 to 10 ppm chlorine and 5 to 20 ppm of at least one of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium;
- 100 to 270 ppm carbon;
- 50 to 120 ppm silicon;
- and 1 to 30 ppm phosphorus;
- working the material to a finished or nearly finished dimension, the working comprising forging;
- heat treating of the material is carried out between two forging operations at 450.degree. C. to 500.degree. C. to precipitate suicides and secondary phase particles;
- beta quenching the material to give the material a basketweave structure;
- and
- heat treating the material at a temperature of 600.degree. C. to 800.degree. C. in a static furnace or 700.degree. C. to 800.degree. C. in a continuous furnace.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.