Sheathed, annular metal nuclear fuel
AssigneeAdvanced Reactor Concepts LLC
InventorLeon C. Walters
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Abstract
A sheathed, annular metal fuel system is described. A metal fuel pin system is described that includes an annular metal nuclear fuel alloy. A sheath may surround the metal nuclear fuel alloy, and a cladding may surround the sheath. A gas plenum may also be present. Mold arrangements and methods of fabrication of the sheathed, annular metal fuel are also described.
Claims30
A metal fuel pin system for a nuclear reactor, the system comprising:
- an annular metal nuclear fuel alloy, wherein a central hole provides for an effective fuel density of 75% or less upon irradiation;
- a zirconium sheath surrounding and fit tightly to the metal nuclear fuel alloy;
- a cladding surrounding the sheath;
- and
- a gas plenum.
A metal fuel mold system comprising:
- a mold block with a cylindrical hole for receiving metal nuclear fuel alloy;
- a central rod within the cylindrical hole;
- and
- a zirconium sheath lining the cylindrical hole.
A method of fabricating a sheathed, annular metal nuclear fuel, the method comprising:
- bottom pouring a liquid metal nuclear fuel alloy into a mold, wherein the mold comprises a set of holes within the mold, a rod in the approximate center of each of the holes, and a zirconium sheath within each of the one or more holes;
- allowing the liquid metal nuclear fuel alloy to form a sheathed, annular metal fuel;
- removing the sheathed, annular metal fuel;
- and
- placing the sheathed, annular metal fuel in a cladding with a gas plenum.
A method of using an annular metal fuel slug, the method comprising:
- providing an annular metal fuel slug created by bottom pour casting;
- initially irradiating of the annular metal fuel slug;
- and
- wherein the annular metal fuel slug acts like a traditional metal fuel after initial irradiation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.