Abstract:
A zirconium based alloy plate of low irradiation growth, containing not more than 5 wt % Sn and/or not more 5 wt % Nb, and the balance Zr of not less than 90 wt %. The alloy plate has a texture that orientation (Fr value) with respect to direction perpendicular to the surface of the plate ranges from 0.20 to 0.50. This alloy plate is effective in being used to form a fuel channel box. Also a fuel assembly using this channel box is provided in which the crystal orientation of the zirconium alloy is made random by a heat treatment. Specifically, by the heat treatment, the Fr, Ft, and Fl values thereof are set to 0.25 to 0.50, 0.25 to 0.36, and 0.25 to 0.36, respectively.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of making tubes of Zirconium alloys containing 1-5 percent by weight of alloying elements such as Sn, Fe, Cr and Ni. According to the invention an improved corrosion resistance can be reached by means of annealing after extrusion and between cold rollings within a well defined temperature range in the .alpha.-phase zone during considerably longer times than standardized for the purpose of reaching equilibrium between secondary phase particles and Zirconium matrix and in that way a minimum content of Fe in solid solution.
Abstract:
A process for improving resistance of control rod guide tube split pins in nuclear reactors to stress corrosion cracking comprising heating the split pin to a critical elevated temperature level, cooling at least the surface portions of the split subject to stress corrosion cracking and then permitting the split pin to come to ambient temperature.
Abstract:
A method for coating a nuclear fuel with a burnable poison and a burnable poison coated nuclear fuel made by the method. The nuclear fuel is surface cleaned, and then a burnable poison layer is sputtered thereon. A sputtering deposition rate is picked that preferably will heat the nuclear fuel surface between 200.degree. C. and 600.degree. C. For deposition rates that result in heating the nuclear fuel surface to less than 200.degree. C., external heat is applied to heat the nuclear fuel surface between 200.degree. C. and 600.degree. C. To make the burnable poison layer less hygroscopic, an overcoat layer of a hydrophobic material is sputtered on the burnable poison layer.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a nuclear fuel or poison which includes heating particulate nuclear fuel or poison to between about 800* C. and 1400* C., contacting the heated material with an acetylene containing atmosphere having an acetylene partial pressure of at least about 0.65 atmosphere to deposit a spongy pyrolytic carbon coating on the particles followed by depositing a dense exterior fission products retentive coating on the spongy carbon coating.
Abstract:
A zirconium alloy suitable for forming reactor components that exhibit reduced irradiation growth and improved corrosion resistance during operation of a light water reactor (LWR), for example, a boiling water reactor (BWR). During operation of the reactor, the reactor components will be exposed to a strong, and frequently asymmetrical, radiation fields sufficient to induce or accelerate corrosion of the irradiated alloy surfaces within the reactor core. Reactor components fabricated from the disclosed zirconium alloy will also tend to exhibit an improved tolerance for cold-working during fabrication of the component, thereby simplifying the fabrication of such components by reducing or eliminating subsequent thermal processing, for example, anneals, without unduly degrading the performance of the finished component.
Abstract:
A fuel channel box manufacturing method processes a fuel channel box of a zirconium-base alloy by a beta-quench treatment that heats the fuel channel box by a heating coil. The distance between the heating coil and the opposite walls of the fuel channel box is controlled so that temperature differences between the opposite walls of the fuel channel box are reduced. The fuel channel box of a zirconium-base alloy is heated at a temperature in a temperature range including &bgr;-phase temperatures so that temperature difference between the opposite walls is 50° C. or below. The fuel channel box manufacturing method is capable of manufacturing a fuel channel box that is not subject to significant irradiated bow even if a deflection is produced therein originally when the same is manufactured and of manufacturing the fuel channel box at a high production efficiency.
Abstract:
This disclosure describes a method for metallurgically bonding a complete leak-tight enclosure to a matrix-type fuel element penetrated longitudinally by a multiplicity of coolant channels. Coolant tubes containing solid filler pins are disposed in the coolant channels. A leak-tight metal enclosure is then formed about the entire assembly of fuel matrix, coolant tubes and pins. The completely enclosed and sealed assembly is exposed to a high temperature and pressure gas environment to effect a metallurgical bond between all contacting surfaces therein. The ends of the assembly are then machined away to expose the pin ends which are chemically leached from the coolant tubes to leave the coolant tubes with internal coolant passageways. The invention described herein was made in the course of, or under, a contract with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. It relates generally to fuel elements for neutronic reactors and more particularly to a method for providing a leak-tight metal enclosure for a high-performance matrix-type fuel element penetrated longitudinally by a multiplicity of coolant tubes. The planned utilization of nuclear energy in high-performance, compact-propulsion and mobile power-generation systems has necessitated the development of fuel elements capable of operating at high power densities. High power densities in turn require fuel elements having high thermal conductivities and good fuel retention capabilities at high temperatures. A metal clad fuel element containing a ceramic phase of fuel intimately mixed with and bonded to a continuous refractory metal matrix has been found to satisfy the above requirements. Metal coolant tubes penetrate the matrix to afford internal cooling to the fuel element while providing positive fuel retention and containment of fission products generated within the fuel matrix. Metal header plates are bonded to the coolant tubes at each end of the fuel element and a metal cladding or can completes the fuel-matrix enclosure by encompassing the sides of the fuel element between the header plates.
Abstract:
A method of surface-treating a reactor member for effectively removing a Cr-deficient layer and a work-hardened layer considered to be a cause of stress-corrosion cracking (SCC) under low-stress conditions. The method of surface-treating a reactor member which is worked by bending (step 1) and then processed by a heat treatment (step 2), in which a work-hardened layer is formed by the bending, and in which a Cr-deficient layer is formed due to an oxide film attached by the heat treatment, uses at least one of: acid wash; grinding; electrolytic polishing; electro-discharge machining; surface cutting; surface deoxidation and softening; wet blasting; laser machining; or surface plating (step 3) to remove the work-hardened layer and the Cr-deficient layer from the reactor member or to prevent contact of the work-hardened layer and the Cr-deficient layer of the reactor member with a primary coolant.