GB2098787A - Production of pellets for nuclear fuel elements - Google Patents
Production of pellets for nuclear fuel elements Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2098787A GB2098787A GB8214324A GB8214324A GB2098787A GB 2098787 A GB2098787 A GB 2098787A GB 8214324 A GB8214324 A GB 8214324A GB 8214324 A GB8214324 A GB 8214324A GB 2098787 A GB2098787 A GB 2098787A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- pellets
- portions
- central portion
- annular
- nuclear fuel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 46
- 239000003758 nuclear fuel Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 20
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 13
- 238000005245 sintering Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000011819 refractory material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 230000000155 isotopic effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- OOAWCECZEHPMBX-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxygen(2-);uranium(4+) Chemical compound [O-2].[O-2].[U+4] OOAWCECZEHPMBX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- FCTBKIHDJGHPPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N uranium dioxide Inorganic materials O=[U]=O FCTBKIHDJGHPPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- UTDLAEPMVCFGRJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N plutonium dihydrate Chemical compound O.O.[Pu] UTDLAEPMVCFGRJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- FLDALJIYKQCYHH-UHFFFAOYSA-N plutonium(IV) oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[Pu+4] FLDALJIYKQCYHH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000001427 coherent effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000314 lubricant Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 150000001247 metal acetylides Chemical class 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011824 nuclear material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- ZCUFMDLYAMJYST-UHFFFAOYSA-N thorium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Th]=O ZCUFMDLYAMJYST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- XOOUIPVCVHRTMJ-UHFFFAOYSA-L zinc stearate Chemical compound [Zn+2].CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC([O-])=O.CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC([O-])=O XOOUIPVCVHRTMJ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 2
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
- G21C3/00—Reactor fuel elements and their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements
- G21C3/42—Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel
- G21C3/58—Solid reactor fuel Pellets made of fissile material
- G21C3/62—Ceramic fuel
- G21C3/623—Oxide fuels
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
- G21C3/00—Reactor fuel elements and their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements
- G21C3/42—Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel
- G21C3/58—Solid reactor fuel Pellets made of fissile material
- G21C3/62—Ceramic fuel
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
- Y02E30/30—Nuclear fission reactors
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
- Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
- Compositions Of Oxide Ceramics (AREA)
- Inorganic Compounds Of Heavy Metals (AREA)
Abstract
A method for producing nuclear fuel pellets each made up of a central portion and an outer annular portion surrounding the central portion, the two portions differing in composition. Such pellets are termed annular-layered pellets. The method comprises the steps of pressing powdered refractory material which has been granulated to form separately a central portion and an outer annular portion, assembling the portions together, compacting the assembly and sintering the compact. The portions are bonded together during sintering. The difference in composition may include a difference in density or isotopic enrichment as well as a chemical difference.
Description
SPECIFICATION
Production of pellets for nuclear fuel elements
This invention relates to the production of pellets for nuclear fuel elements.
Nuclear fuel is manufactured at the present time as small right circular cylinders of ceramic nuclear material (for example uranium dioxide, thorium dioxide, plutonium dioxide or mixtures of these) commonly called pellets.
These pellets are normally produced by compacting a powdered ceramic compound in a die at room temperature and sintering the resulting compact at high temperature to produce a dense homogeneous ceramic body which is the pellet. However, to obtain increased benefit from nuclear fuel in the form of pellets it has been proposed that the pellets should be made up of a central portion and an outer annular portion surrounding the central portion, the two portions differing in composition. Such nuclear fuel pellets are hereinafter termed annular-layered pellets,
The present invention seeks to provide a method for producing annular-layered pellets in which the central portion and annular portion in each pellet are bonded together during sintering.
According to the present invention the production of an annular-layered nuclear fuel pellet consisting essentially of a central portion and an outer annular portion surrounding the central portion comprises the steps of pressing powdered refractory material which has been granulated to form separately a central portion and an outer annular portion differing from each other in composition, assembling the portions together, compacting the assembly and sintering the compact.
Difference in composition is to be taken to include differences in density and isotopic enrichment as well as chemical differences.
There may be differences in more than one of these properties.
Both oxides and carbides are considered suitable refractory materials for use in nuclear fuel pellets and may be used in the present invention. However it is to be understood when selecting refractory material for use in the invention that normal precautions are to be undertaken by providing refractory powder of similar activity for the two portions, also that:
a. the two portions are chemically compatible with each other and with the sintering atmosphere,
b. the thermal expansion characteristics of the two portions are compatible,
c. neither portion undergoes a phase change causing a change in volume in the temperature range experienced during sintering,
d. the two portions are ceramically identical to the extent that they will shrink by the same amount and at approximately the same rate during sintering.
The preferred refractory material is uranium dioxide to which may be added other materials to aid sintering, enhance grain size/ growth or produce pores which control density, as well as additives providing nuclear characteristics, for example, plutonium dioxide.
Advantages of annular layered pellets in which the portions are bonded together in accordance with the invention are the clear division between, the portions, the fixed positions of the portions relative to one another and the full use of the space available for the fuel pellet.
In a preferred example of carrying the invention into effect two batches of uranium dioxide powders of 3.52% and 0.387% enrichment were taken. The 3.52% enriched powder was blended with sufficient ,fugitive pore former to lower the final sintered density of pellets made from this oxide by 5%--no addition was made to the 0.387% enriched oxide. The powders were separately precompacted at 0.75 te/cm2 and granulated through a sieve of size 1200 microns. 0.2% zinc stearate was added as a lubricant to both batches of granules which were then pressed in dies at 1.5 te/cm2 to form central and annular portions of pellets with a density of 4.9-5.2 g/cm3-the 3.52% enriched material was used for the outer annular portion and the 0.382% material for the centre.The outer annular portions were pressed in a die with a removable core rod which was withdrawn after pressing leaving a hole. A central portion was inserted in the hole in each outer portion and a plain top punch was then used to press the assembled portions to a final green density of 5.6-5.8 g/cm3 using a pressure of 4 te/cm2. The composite compacts were then sintered for approximately 5 hours at 1700"C. This yielded coherent pellets of overall density in the range 95.2-95.6% of theoretical 'he annulus and centre having approximate densities of 98.7 and 93.7% respectively.
Annular layered pellets with a central hole may be prepared similarly using a die with a fixed core rod for pressing the assembled central and outer annular portions.
1. A process for the production of an annular-layered nuclear fuel pellet consisting essentially of a central portion and an outer annular portion surrounding the central portion, the process comprising the steps of pressing powdered refractory material which has been granulated to form separately a central portion and an outer annular portion differing from each other in composition, assembling the portions together, compacting
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.
Claims (7)
1. A process for the production of an annular-layered nuclear fuel pellet consisting essentially of a central portion and an outer annular portion surrounding the central portion, the process comprising the steps of pressing powdered refractory material which has been granulated to form separately a central portion and an outer annular portion differing from each other in composition, assembling the portions together, compacting the assembly and sintering the compact.
2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the central portion is annular.
3. A process as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the central portion and the outer annular portion consist essentially of uranium dioxide and differ in isotopic enrichment.
4. A process as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the central portion and the outer annular portion consist essentially of uranium dioxide and differ in density.
5. A process as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one of the portions contains plutonium dioxide.
6. A process for the production of an annular-layered nuclear fuel pellet substantially as herein before described with reference to the example.
7. An annular-layered nuclear fuel pellet produced by the process claimed in any preceding claim.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8214324A GB2098787B (en) | 1981-05-19 | 1982-05-17 | Production of pellets for nuclear fuel elements |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8115360 | 1981-05-19 | ||
| GB8214324A GB2098787B (en) | 1981-05-19 | 1982-05-17 | Production of pellets for nuclear fuel elements |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2098787A true GB2098787A (en) | 1982-11-24 |
| GB2098787B GB2098787B (en) | 1985-09-18 |
Family
ID=26279525
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8214324A Expired GB2098787B (en) | 1981-05-19 | 1982-05-17 | Production of pellets for nuclear fuel elements |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2098787B (en) |
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0416778A3 (en) * | 1989-09-06 | 1991-11-21 | British Nuclear Fuels Plc | Nuclear fuel bodies and the production thereof |
| EP0556027A3 (en) * | 1992-02-13 | 1993-11-03 | British Nuclear Fuels PLC | The production of nuclear fuel |
| WO1996018999A1 (en) * | 1994-12-16 | 1996-06-20 | British Nuclear Fuels Plc | Manufacturing ceramic articles |
| EP0840330A1 (en) * | 1996-11-01 | 1998-05-06 | General Electric Company | Segmented pellet and production thereof |
| WO2000021095A1 (en) * | 1998-10-06 | 2000-04-13 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Fuel tablet comprising a layered structure |
| EP2399951A1 (en) | 2010-06-25 | 2011-12-28 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Pellets and method for their manufacture |
| CN103366835A (en) * | 2013-04-01 | 2013-10-23 | 中科华核电技术研究院有限公司 | Nuclear fuel pellet and manufacturing method thereof, and nuclear reactor |
| CN103366836A (en) * | 2013-04-01 | 2013-10-23 | 中科华核电技术研究院有限公司 | Nuclear fuel pellet and manufacturing method thereof, and nuclear reactor |
| US9997267B2 (en) * | 2013-02-13 | 2018-06-12 | Battelle Memorial Institute | Nuclear reactor target assemblies, nuclear reactor configurations, and methods for producing isotopes, modifying materials within target material, and/or characterizing material within a target material |
| CN113012832A (en) * | 2019-12-20 | 2021-06-22 | 中核北方核燃料元件有限公司 | UO2Composite UN-UO2Method for producing fuel pellets |
-
1982
- 1982-05-17 GB GB8214324A patent/GB2098787B/en not_active Expired
Cited By (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0416778A3 (en) * | 1989-09-06 | 1991-11-21 | British Nuclear Fuels Plc | Nuclear fuel bodies and the production thereof |
| EP0556027A3 (en) * | 1992-02-13 | 1993-11-03 | British Nuclear Fuels PLC | The production of nuclear fuel |
| WO1996018999A1 (en) * | 1994-12-16 | 1996-06-20 | British Nuclear Fuels Plc | Manufacturing ceramic articles |
| US5916497A (en) * | 1994-12-16 | 1999-06-29 | British Nuclear Fuels Plc | Manufacturing of ceramic articles |
| EP0840330A1 (en) * | 1996-11-01 | 1998-05-06 | General Electric Company | Segmented pellet and production thereof |
| WO2000021095A1 (en) * | 1998-10-06 | 2000-04-13 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Fuel tablet comprising a layered structure |
| EP2399951A1 (en) | 2010-06-25 | 2011-12-28 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Pellets and method for their manufacture |
| DE102010030547A1 (en) | 2010-06-25 | 2011-12-29 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Pellets and process for their preparation |
| US9997267B2 (en) * | 2013-02-13 | 2018-06-12 | Battelle Memorial Institute | Nuclear reactor target assemblies, nuclear reactor configurations, and methods for producing isotopes, modifying materials within target material, and/or characterizing material within a target material |
| CN103366835A (en) * | 2013-04-01 | 2013-10-23 | 中科华核电技术研究院有限公司 | Nuclear fuel pellet and manufacturing method thereof, and nuclear reactor |
| CN103366836A (en) * | 2013-04-01 | 2013-10-23 | 中科华核电技术研究院有限公司 | Nuclear fuel pellet and manufacturing method thereof, and nuclear reactor |
| CN103366836B (en) * | 2013-04-01 | 2016-01-06 | 中科华核电技术研究院有限公司 | Fuel ball, method for making and nuclear reactor |
| CN103366835B (en) * | 2013-04-01 | 2016-01-06 | 中科华核电技术研究院有限公司 | Fuel ball, method for making and nuclear reactor |
| CN113012832A (en) * | 2019-12-20 | 2021-06-22 | 中核北方核燃料元件有限公司 | UO2Composite UN-UO2Method for producing fuel pellets |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2098787B (en) | 1985-09-18 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19970517 |