초록 ▼

A nuclear fuel element for a high temperature gas nuclear reactor that has an average operating temperature in excess of 2000°C., and a method of making such a fuel element. The fuel element is characterized by having fissionable fuel material localized and stabilized within pores of a carbon or gra

A nuclear fuel element for a high temperature gas nuclear reactor that has an average operating temperature in excess of 2000°C., and a method of making such a fuel element. The fuel element is characterized by having fissionable fuel material localized and stabilized within pores of a carbon or graphite member by melting the fissionable material to cause it to chemically react with the carbon walls of the pores. The fissionable fuel material is further stabilized and localized within the pores of the graphite member by providing one or more coatings of pyrolytic carbon or diamond surrounding the porous graphite member so that each layer defines a successive barrier against migration of the fissionable fuel from the pores, and so that the outermost layer of pyrolytic carbon or diamond forms a barrier between the fissionable material and the moderating gases used in an associated high temperature gas reactor. The method of the invention provides for making such new elements either as generally spherically elements, or as flexible filaments, or as other relatively small-sized fuel elements that are particularly suited for use in high temperature gas reactors.

대표청구항 ▼

A nuclear fuel element containing fissionable material for use in a high temperature gas reactor having an operating temperature that is higher than 2000°C. and that is higher than the melting point temperature of said fissionable material, comprising, a graphite or carbon member having a plurality

A nuclear fuel element containing fissionable material for use in a high temperature gas reactor having an operating temperature that is higher than 2000°C. and that is higher than the melting point temperature of said fissionable material, comprising, a graphite or carbon member having a plurality of pores therein, a fissionable fuel material disposed within said pores, said pores being effective through capillary forces and surface tension forces with the fissionable fuel material when it is molten liquid to retain and localize said molten liquid material within the pores, and a coating of pyrolytic carbon over substantially the entire outer surface of said member to form a kinetic barrier against melted liquid fissionable material migration, thereby to further localize and stabilize the fissionable material within said pores.