초록 ▼

Nuclear fuel for use in nuclear reactors is provided in the form of a nuclear fuel element with an interior barrier layer interposed between the sheath and the fuel. The barrier layer incorporates particles of copper in finely divided form to provide by combination with cadmium, which is released du

Nuclear fuel for use in nuclear reactors is provided in the form of a nuclear fuel element with an interior barrier layer interposed between the sheath and the fuel. The barrier layer incorporates particles of copper in finely divided form to provide by combination with cadmium, which is released during irradiation of the fuel, a stabilized copper-cadmium compound localized intermediate the fuel and the sheath, thus impeding attack on the sheath by the released cadmium. There is further provided a simple, low cost method for applying the barrier layer in a nuclear fuel element.

대표청구항 ▼

A fuel element for water cooled nuclear reactors consisting essentially of a sheath of a zirconium alloy, containing uranium oxide nuclear fuel material therein, and having an intermediate barrier layer between and adjoining both the uranium oxide fuel and the zirconium alloy sheath, said layer incl

A fuel element for water cooled nuclear reactors consisting essentially of a sheath of a zirconium alloy, containing uranium oxide nuclear fuel material therein, and having an intermediate barrier layer between and adjoining both the uranium oxide fuel and the zirconium alloy sheath, said layer including particles of copper in finely divided form of generally less than about 5 microns in size and in amount of at least about 1 milligram of copper per square centimeter whereby in use within a reactor under conditions of irradiation, cadmium released during irradiation from the fuel can combine with the copper to provide a stabilized copper-cadmium compound substantially localized intermediate the fuel and the sheath, thus impeding attack on the sheath by the released cadmium.