US3998692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear reactor for breeding U233
Assignee: Energy Research and Development Administration ERDA
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Filing: 1975-12-08
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Granted: 1976-12-21
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Expires: 1995-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A light-water-cooled nuclear reactor capable of breeding U233 for use in a light-water breeder reactor includes physically separated regions containing U235 fissile material and U238 fertile material and Th232 fertile material and Pu239 fissile material, if available. Preferably the U235 fissile material and U238 fertile material are contained in longitudinally movable seed regions and the Pu239 fissile material and Th232 fertile material are contained in blanket regions surrounding the seed regions.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles S. Bohanan
- 👤 David H. Jones
- 👤 Harry F. Raab, Jr.
- 👤 Alvin Radkowsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:52
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C7/00; G21C7/30; G21C1/00; G21C1/04; G21C1/06; G21C1/08; G21C11/00; G21C11/06; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/326; G21C5/00; G21C5/18; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
Method of producing U 233 for use in a light-water-cooled breeder reactor comprising operating a seed-and-blanket reactor containing U 235 fuel and U 238 fertile material in the seed and Th 232 fertile material in the blanket, the Th 232 being physically separated from the uranium, to produce Pu 239 in the seed and U 233 in the blanket, recovering the Pu 239 and U 233 thus produced, incorporating the Pu 239 thus produced in the blanket of a seed-and-blanket reactor along with Th 232 wherein the seed consists of U 235 and U 238 , operating the reactor to produce Pu 239 in the seed and U 233 in the blanket, continuing such operation of a seed-and-blanket reactor incorporating an optimum proportion of Pu 239 therein, recovering and retaining additional amounts of Pu 239 produced, recovering and retaining U 233 so produced until enough is obtained to constitute the fissile fuel loading for a U 233 fueled light-water breeder reactor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
Method of producing U 233 for use in a light-water-cooled breeder reactor comprising operating a seed-and-blanket reactor containing U 235 fuel and U 238 fertile material in the seed and Th 232 fertile material in the blanket, the Th 232 being physically separated from the uranium, to produce Pu 239 in the seed and U 233 in the blanket, recovering the Pu 239 and U 233 thus produced, incorporating the Pu 239 thus produced in the blanket of a seed-and-blanket reactor along with Th 232 wherein the seed consists of U 235 and U 238 , operating the reactor to produce Pu 239 in the seed and U 233 in the blanket, continuing such operation of a seed-and-blanket reactor incorporating an optimum proportion of Pu 239 therein, recovering and retaining additional amounts of Pu 239 produced, recovering and retaining U 233 so produced until enough is obtained to constitute the fissile fuel loading for a U 233 fueled light-water breeder reactor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3671392A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-12-21 | 1980-06-21 | 1980-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-12-21 | 1984-06-21 | 1984-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-12-21 | 1988-06-21 | 1988-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |