US4401608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for enlarging grain size of uranium oxide
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1981-10-13
•
Granted: 1983-08-30
•
Expires: 2001-10-13
Abstract
Abstract The grain size of particulate uranium oxides is increased and adjusted by the application thereto of hydrogen peroxide. The procedure is useful in the manufacture of nuclear reactor fuel from powdered fissionable materials.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter C. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:39
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01G; C01G43/00; C01G43/01; C01G43/025; G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/42; G21C3/58; G21C3/62; G21C3/623; C01P; C01P2004/00; C01P2004/60; C01P2004/61; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of enlarging the grain size of sintered uranium oxide in the manufacture of fissionable nuclear fuel, comprising the steps of: (a) adding a solution of hydrogen peroxide in amounts of up to about 5 weight percent to solid powdered uranium oxide and mixing the hydrogen peroxide solution through the solid powdered uranium oxide; (b) pressing the powdered uranium oxide with the hydrogen peroxide solution mixed therethrough into green coherent bodies; and (c) sintering the green coherent bodies of powdered uranium oxide to affect the grain growth.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of enlarging the grain size of sintered uranium oxide in the manufacture of fissionable nuclear fuel, comprising the steps of: (a) adding a solution of hydrogen peroxide in amounts of up to about 5 weight percent to solid powdered uranium oxide and mixing the hydrogen peroxide solution through the solid powdered uranium oxide; (b) pressing the powdered uranium oxide with the hydrogen peroxide solution mixed therethrough into green coherent bodies; and (c) sintering the green coherent bodies of powdered uranium oxide to affect the grain growth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the solution of hydrogen peroxide is added to the powdered uranium oxide in amounts of about 1 to about 3 weight percent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the solution of hydrogen peroxide added to the powdered uranium oxide is an aqueous solution of about 10 to about 50 percent hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of enlarging the grain size of sintered uranium oxide in the manufacture of fissionable nuclear fuel, comprising the steps of: (a) adding an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide in amounts of about 1 to about 5 weight percent to solid powdered uranium dioxide and mixing the hydrogen peroxide solution through the solid powdered uranium dioxide; (b) cold pressing the powdered uranium dioxide with the hydrogen peroxide solution mixed therethrough into green coherent pellets; and (c) sintering the green coherent pellets of powdered uranium oxide.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of enlarging the grain size of sintered uranium oxide in the manufacture of fissionable nuclear fuel, comprising the steps of: (a) adding an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide in amounts of about 1 to about 5 weight percent to solid powdered uranium dioxide and mixing the hydrogen peroxide solution through the solid powdered uranium dioxide; (b) cold pressing the powdered uranium dioxide with the hydrogen peroxide solution mixed therethrough into green coherent pellets; and (c) sintering the green coherent pellets of powdered uranium oxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the solution of hydrogen peroxide is added to the powdered uranium dioxide by applying a finely atomized spray of the solution to a moving mass of the powder.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of enlarging the grain size of sintered uranium oxide in the manufacture of fissionable nuclear fuel, comprising the steps of: (a) spraying a finely atomized aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide in amounts of about 1 to about 3 weight percent onto a moving mass of solid powdered uranium dioxide and mixing the hydrogen peroxide solution through the solid powdered uranium dioxide; (b) cold pressing the powdered uranium dioxide with the hydrogen peroxide solution mixed therethrough into green coherent pellets; and (c) sintering the green coherent pellets of powdered uranium dioxide.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of enlarging the grain size of sintered uranium oxide in the manufacture of fissionable nuclear fuel, comprising the steps of: (a) spraying a finely atomized aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide in amounts of about 1 to about 3 weight percent onto a moving mass of solid powdered uranium dioxide and mixing the hydrogen peroxide solution through the solid powdered uranium dioxide; (b) cold pressing the powdered uranium dioxide with the hydrogen peroxide solution mixed therethrough into green coherent pellets; and (c) sintering the green coherent pellets of powdered uranium dioxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the solution of hydrogen peroxide sprayed on the powdered uranium dioxide is an aqueous solution of about 10 to about 50 percent hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the solution of hydrogen peroxide sprayed on the powdered uranium dioxide is in amount of about 2 weight percent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE1204210B
Cited
US3923933A
Cited
US3761547A
Cited
JPS4736157U
Cited
US3803273A
Cited
US3883623A
Cited
US4061700A
Cited
US4152395A
Cited
US4314952A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-29 | 1987-02-28 | 1987-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-29 | 1991-02-28 | 1991-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-29 | 1995-02-28 | 1995-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |