Open AccessTHE MANUFACTURE OF SUPPLEMENTAL DEPLETED FUEL RODS FOR FCF STARTUP
Author(s) -
N.J. Carson,
H.F. Jelinek,
A.B. Shuck
Publication year - 1963
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/4134128
Subject(s) - rod , ingot , materials science , casting , thermocouple , core (optical fiber) , nuclear engineering , metallurgy , composite material , engineering , medicine , alternative medicine , alloy , pathology
Approximately 2000 supplemental rods were made for use in EBR-II Fuel Cycle Facility startup tests. They were made in the same manner as Core-I fuel rods but using partially depleted pins instead of fuel pins. A duplex'' or double melting operation was used for Core-I production. The alloys were first melted together and cast in and ingot mold. The ingot was then remelted and injection castto produce fuel pins. In order to simplify the operation, a single melt, or simplex'' operation, alloying and injecting casting in one step was tried. This operation was unsatisfactory because of uncontrollable gas evolution from the ingredients of the charge. The interior parts of the furnace became coated with condensed metal to an extent that threatened mechanical and electrical failure of the furnace. A thermocouple head was developed for use in the injection casting furnace. It had increased accuracy and reliability, and was more easily remotely replaced. The improvements were due to unit construction and improved cold-junction contacts. A statistical analysis was made of a sample of 412 rods. The analysis produced (1) and equation for predicting sodium levels through the selection of sodium loads, and (2) evidence that jacket-preassembly classification is necessary under existing specifications for sodium level. (auth