US3984345A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for removal of adhering sodium from and storage of irradiated nuclear fuel elements
Assignee: Belgonucleaire SA
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Filing: 1974-07-19
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Granted: 1976-10-05
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Expires: 1994-07-19
Abstract
Abstract There is described a method for sodium-deactivating and/or stocking irradiated nuclear fuel elements, said elements being contacted with a fluid, in which use is made as fluid, of a molten salt mixture which is uncorrosive for the element stainless steels, inert relative to uranium and plutonium oxides by the deactivating temperature and reactive with sodium metal without producing a detonating gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Raymond Heylen
- 👤 Jean Van Impe
- 👤 Henri Lecerf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:14
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21F; G21F9/00; G21C; G21C19/00; G21C19/02; G21C19/06; G21C19/065; G21C19/32; G21F5/00; G21F5/005; G21F5/008; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for removal of adhering sodium from irradiated nuclear fuel elements consisting of introducing the nuclear fuel elements into a bath of a eutectic molten salts mixture having a composition selected from the group consisting of: a. NaNO 3 , KNO 3 and NaNO 2 , b. Na 2 CO 3 , K 2 CO 3 and Li 2 CO 3 , and c. NaCl, KCl and ZnCl 2 whereby the sodium is removed from the elements.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for removal of adhering sodium from irradiated nuclear fuel elements consisting of introducing the nuclear fuel elements into a bath of a eutectic molten salts mixture having a composition selected from the group consisting of: a. NaNO 3 , KNO 3 and NaNO 2 , b. Na 2 CO 3 , K 2 CO 3 and Li 2 CO 3 , and c. NaCl, KCl and ZnCl 2 whereby the sodium is removed from the elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1 wherein (a) contains 6 w% NaNO 3 , 52 w% KNO 3 and 42 w% NaNO 2 , (b) contains 33.5 w% Na 2 CO 3 , 34.5 w% K 2 CO 3 and 32 w% Li 2 CO 3 , and (c) contains 20 mole % NaCl, 20 mole % KCl and 60 mole % ZnCl 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
Method for storing irradiated nuclear fuel elements consisting of introducing the nuclear fuel elements into a bath of a eutectic molten salts mixture having a composition selected from the group consisting of a. NaNO 3 , KNO 3 , and NaNO 2 , b. Na 2 CO 3 , K 2 CO 3 and Li 2 CO 3 , and c. NaCl, KCl and ZnCl 2 , and maintaining the irradiated nuclear fuel elements in said bath.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
Method for storing irradiated nuclear fuel elements consisting of introducing the nuclear fuel elements into a bath of a eutectic molten salts mixture having a composition selected from the group consisting of a. NaNO 3 , KNO 3 , and NaNO 2 , b. Na 2 CO 3 , K 2 CO 3 and Li 2 CO 3 , and c. NaCl, KCl and ZnCl 2 , and maintaining the irradiated nuclear fuel elements in said bath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 3, wherein (a) contains 6 w% NaNO 3 , 52 w% KNO 3 and 42 w% NaNO 2 , (b) contains 33.5 w% Na 2 CO 3 , 34.5 w% K 2 CO 3 and 32 w% Li 2 CO 3 , and (c) contains 20 mole % NaCl, 20 mole % KCl and 60 mole % ZnCl 2 .
Claim 7
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for removal of adhering sodium and for transportation of irradiated nuclear fuel elements comprising introducing the nuclear fuel elements into a tank comprising a eutectic molten salts mixture having a composition selected from the group consisting of a. NaNO 3 , KNO 3 and NaNO 2 , b. Na 2 CO 3 , K 2 CO 3 and Li 2 CO 3 , and c. NaCl, KCl and ZnCl 2 , discharging the nuclear fuel elements from the tank, arranging the nuclear fuel elements inside a container containing a eutectic molten salts mixture having the same composition as the mixture contained in the tank and transporting the container containing the nuclear fuel elements.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for removal of adhering sodium and for transportation of irradiated nuclear fuel elements comprising introducing the nuclear fuel elements into a tank comprising a eutectic molten salts mixture having a composition selected from the group consisting of a. NaNO 3 , KNO 3 and NaNO 2 , b. Na 2 CO 3 , K 2 CO 3 and Li 2 CO 3 , and c. NaCl, KCl and ZnCl 2 , discharging the nuclear fuel elements from the tank, arranging the nuclear fuel elements inside a container containing a eutectic molten salts mixture having the same composition as the mixture contained in the tank and transporting the container containing the nuclear fuel elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 5 wherein (a) contains 6 w% NaNO 3 , 52 w% KNO 3 and 42 w% NaNO 2 , (b) contains 33.5 w% Na 2 CO 3 , 34.5 w% K 2 CO 3 and 32 w% Li 2 CO 3 , and (c) contains 20 mole % NaCl, 20 mole % KCl and 60 mole % ZnCl 2 .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-05 | 1980-04-05 | 1980-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-05 | 1984-04-05 | 1984-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-05 | 1988-04-05 | 1988-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |