US4285891A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of removing fission gases from irradiated fuel
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1979-12-31
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Granted: 1981-08-25
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Expires: 1999-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A method for removing volatile fission products from irradiated fuel which comprises passing a hydrogen-containing inert gas by said fuel which is at an elevated temperature of at least about 1000° C. for a sufficient time to remove a significant portion of said fission products and a second step wherein inert gas alone is swept past the fuel while at said elevated temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Lane A. Bray
- 👤 Allyn L. Boldt
- 👤 Harold H. Van Tuyl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:12
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C19/00; G21C19/42; G21C19/44; G21C19/48; G21F; G21F9/00; G21F9/02; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for removing volatile fission products from irradiated fuel which comprises (a) passing hydrogen in the presence of an inert gas by said fuel which is heated to a temperature of at least about 1000° C. for a sufficient time to remove a significant portion of said fission products and (b) passing an inert gas alone by said fuel while at said elevated temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for removing volatile fission products from irradiated fuel which comprises (a) passing hydrogen in the presence of an inert gas by said fuel which is heated to a temperature of at least about 1000° C. for a sufficient time to remove a significant portion of said fission products and (b) passing an inert gas alone by said fuel while at said elevated temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature to which the fuel is heated is at least about 1400° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fuel is selected from the group consisting of uranium oxide, plutonium oxide and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said inert gas is helium or argon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the temperature to which the fuel is heated is at least about 1400° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 wherein from about 0.5 to about 10% by volume of hydrogen in said inert gas is used.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the volatile fission products are tritium, xenon, krypton and iodine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) is carried out at a temperature of about 1000° to about 1200° C. and wherein step (b) is carried out at a temperature of about 1400° to 1600° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said fuel is selected from the group consisting of uranium oxide, plutonium oxide and mixtures thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said inert gas is helium or argon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 10 wherein from about 0.5 to about 10% by volume of hydrogen in said inert gas is used.
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) | 1984-08-24 | 1985-02-23 | 1985-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-24 | 1989-02-23 | 1989-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-24 | 1993-02-23 | 1993-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |