US4071587A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of making ZrH fuel element
Assignee: General Atomics Corp
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Filing: 1975-09-25
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Granted: 1978-01-31
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Expires: 1995-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A method of making a nuclear fuel element for a fission reactor. A solid body of an alloy of zirconium and nuclear fuel metal is exposed to hydrogen at an elevated temperature to hydride the zirconium. The hydrided alloy is exposed to oxygen at a lower temperature to form a continuous oxide layer about its exterior surface and is employed in a gastight container as a fuel element. The hydrided alloy may be exposed to oxygen at a temperature of at least about 300° C. prior to its enclosure in the container, or the hydrided alloy may be enclosed in the container together with a quantity of an oxygen-providing material, such as CO 2 or H 2 O, sufficient to oxidize its exterior surface when the fuel element is raised to an elevated temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 George H. Eggers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:19
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C21/00; G21C21/02; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of making a nuclear fuel element for a nuclear fission reactor, which method comprises providing a solid body of an alloy of zirconium and nuclear fuel metal containing nuclear fuel metal in an amount of between about 5 and about 20 weight percent, exposing said body to hydrogen at an elevated temperature to transform said zirconium to zirconium hydride having a hydrogen-to-zirconium ratio of at least about 1.5 to 1, exposing said hydrided alloy to oxygen at a temperature below said elevated temperature to form a continuous oxide layer about the exterior surface of said body and enclosing said hydrided alloy in a gastight container to form a nuclear fuel element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of making a nuclear fuel element for a nuclear fission reactor, which method comprises providing a solid body of an alloy of zirconium and nuclear fuel metal containing nuclear fuel metal in an amount of between about 5 and about 20 weight percent, exposing said body to hydrogen at an elevated temperature to transform said zirconium to zirconium hydride having a hydrogen-to-zirconium ratio of at least about 1.5 to 1, exposing said hydrided alloy to oxygen at a temperature below said elevated temperature to form a continuous oxide layer about the exterior surface of said body and enclosing said hydrided alloy in a gastight container to form a nuclear fuel element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said alloy contains uranium in an amount between about 5 and about 15 weight percent, based upon weight of zirconium plus uranium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said continuous oxide layer is at least about 5 mils thick.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said hydrided alloy is enclosed in said gastight container together with a quantity of an oxygen-providing material sufficient to oxidize the exterior surface of said alloy and wherein said continuous oxide layer at least 5 mils thick is formed within said gastight container when the temperature of said fuel element is raised.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide and water.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of making a nuclear fuel element for a nuclear fission reactor, which method comprises providing a solid body of an alloy of zirconium and nuclear fuel metal, exposing said body to hydrogen at an elevated temperature to transform said zirconium to zirconium hydride, exposing said hydrided alloy to oxygen at a lower temperature, below said elevated temperature, to form a continuous oxide layer about the exterior surface of said body, and enclosing said hydrided alloy in a gastight container to form a nuclear fuel element.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of making a nuclear fuel element for a nuclear fission reactor, which method comprises providing a solid body of an alloy of zirconium and nuclear fuel metal, exposing said body to hydrogen at an elevated temperature to transform said zirconium to zirconium hydride, exposing said hydrided alloy to oxygen at a lower temperature, below said elevated temperature, to form a continuous oxide layer about the exterior surface of said body, and enclosing said hydrided alloy in a gastight container to form a nuclear fuel element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein said hydrided alloy is exposed to oxygen at a temperature of at least about 300° C. prior to enclosing said body in said container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein said hydrided alloy is enclosed in said gastight container together with a quantity of an oxygen-providing material sufficient to oxidize the exterior surface of said alloy when said fuel element is raised to about 400° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of carbon dixoide and water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said material is water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-30 | 1981-08-01 | 1982-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-30 | 1985-08-01 | 1986-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-30 | 1989-08-01 | 1990-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |