US3887486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Porous, microspheroidal, nuclear fuels having internal porosity
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1972-10-16
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1992-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A process is described for the preparation of microspheroidal particles comprising absorbing uranium cations from a uranyl aqueous solution onto small spherical ion exchange resin particles, drying the uranium-loaded resin, and then carbonizing the dried resin to form a porous carbon spheroid having closed porosity with an oxide or carbide or uranium uniformly dispersed within its volume. The same general technique can be used to form microspheres of the oxides or carbides of other actinide metals.
Inventors
- 👤 John M Googin
- 👤 Charles R Schmitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:47
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/42; G21C3/58; G21C3/62; G21C3/64; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
A MICROSPHEROIDAL PARTICLE CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A POROUS MATRIX OF CARBON OR GRAPHITE, A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE POROSITY OF SAID MATRIX BEING OF THE CLOSED-PORE TYPE, AND AN OXIDE OR CARBIDE OF A METAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP URANIUM, PLUTONIUM, AND THORIUM WITHIN THE INTERNAL VOLUME AND CLOSED PORES OF SAID MATRIX.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
A MICROSPHEROIDAL PARTICLE CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A POROUS MATRIX OF CARBON OR GRAPHITE, A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE POROSITY OF SAID MATRIX BEING OF THE CLOSED-PORE TYPE, AND AN OXIDE OR CARBIDE OF A METAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP URANIUM, PLUTONIUM, AND THORIUM WITHIN THE INTERNAL VOLUME AND CLOSED PORES OF SAID MATRIX.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A microspheroidal particle consisting essentially of a porous matrix of carbon or graphite, a substantial portion of the porosity of said matrix being of the closed-pore type, and an oxide or carbide of a metal selected from the group uranium, plutonium, and thorium within the internal volume and closed pores of said matrix.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A microspheroidal particle consisting essentially of a porous matrix of carbon or graphite, a substantial portion of the porosity of said matrix being of the closed-pore type, and an oxide or carbide of a metal selected from the group uranium, plutonium, and thorium within the internal volume and closed pores of said matrix.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The particle of claim 1 and at least one pyrolytic carbon coating deposited on the surface of said particle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The particle of claim 1 wherein the matrix is graphite and the selected metal is uranium distributed within said matrix as a uranium carbide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The particle of claim 1 wherein the matrix is carbon and the selected metal is a mixture of uranium and thorium distributed within said matrix as their respective carbides.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The particle of claim 1 wherein the matrix is carbon and the selected metal is a mixture of uranium and plutonium distributed within said matrix as their respective carbides.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
MICROSPHERES HOF URANIUM CARBIDE PRODUCED BY LOADING AN ION EXCHANGE RESIN CONTAINING ION EXCHANGE SITES FOR SORBING URANYLIONS, DRYING THE LOADED RESIN AND THEN HEATING SAID DRIED RESIN IN AN INSERT ATMPSPHERE AT A TEMPERATURE IN THE RANGE 1,400*-2,200*C. TO CONVERT THE RESIN TO A POROUS CARBON MATRIX CONTAINING CLOSED PORES AND A HOMOGENEOUSLY DISPERSED URANIUM CARBIDE PHASE.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
MICROSPHERES HOF URANIUM CARBIDE PRODUCED BY LOADING AN ION EXCHANGE RESIN CONTAINING ION EXCHANGE SITES FOR SORBING URANYLIONS, DRYING THE LOADED RESIN AND THEN HEATING SAID DRIED RESIN IN AN INSERT ATMPSPHERE AT A TEMPERATURE IN THE RANGE 1,400*-2,200*C. TO CONVERT THE RESIN TO A POROUS CARBON MATRIX CONTAINING CLOSED PORES AND A HOMOGENEOUSLY DISPERSED URANIUM CARBIDE PHASE.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
Microspheres of uranium carbide produced by loading an ion exchange resin containing ion exchange sites for sorbing uranyl ions, drying the loaded resin and then heating said dried resin in an inert atmosphere at a temperature in the range 1,400*-2, 200*C. to convert the resin to a porous carbon matrix containing closed pores and a homogeneously dispersed uranium carbide phase.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
Microspheres of uranium carbide produced by loading an ion exchange resin containing ion exchange sites for sorbing uranyl ions, drying the loaded resin and then heating said dried resin in an inert atmosphere at a temperature in the range 1,400*-2, 200*C. to convert the resin to a porous carbon matrix containing closed pores and a homogeneously dispersed uranium carbide phase.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The particle of claim 6 with at least one pyrolytic carbon coating deposited thereon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The particle of claim 1 wherein the matrix comprises carbon and tHe metal carbide within said matrix is a uranium carbide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The particle of claim 1 wherein the matrix is carbon and UO2 within said matrix.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The particle of claim 1 wherein the matrix comprises carbon and a mixture of a uranium carbide and a uranium oxide within said matrix.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The particle of claim 1 wherein the matrix is carbon and a mixture of UO2 and UC within said matrix.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
A microspheroidal particle 5 to 2,000 microns in diameter consisting essentially of a porous carbon matrix and a compound selected from the group consisting of an oxide and a carbide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of uranium, plutonium, and thorium distributed within said matrix.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
A microspheroidal particle 5 to 2,000 microns in diameter consisting essentially of a porous carbon matrix and a compound selected from the group consisting of an oxide and a carbide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of uranium, plutonium, and thorium distributed within said matrix.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
A MICROSPHEROIDAL PARTICLE 5 TO 2,000 MICRONS IN DIAMETER CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A POROUS CARBON MATRIX AND A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF AN OXIDE AND A CARBIDE OF AT LEAST ONE METAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF URANIUM,LPLUTONIUM, AND THORIUM DISTRIBUTED WITHIN SAID MATRIX.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
A MICROSPHEROIDAL PARTICLE 5 TO 2,000 MICRONS IN DIAMETER CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A POROUS CARBON MATRIX AND A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF AN OXIDE AND A CARBIDE OF AT LEAST ONE METAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF URANIUM,LPLUTONIUM, AND THORIUM DISTRIBUTED WITHIN SAID MATRIX.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |