Process for rapid processing of SiC and graphitic matrix TRISO-bearing pebble fuels
A method for producing microencapsulated fuel pebble fuel more rapidly and with a matrix that engenders added safety attributes. The method includes coating fuel particles with ceramic powder; placing the coated fuel particles in a first die; applying a first current and a first pressure to the first die so as to form a fuel pebble by direct current sintering. The method may further include removing the fuel pebble from the first die and placing the fuel pebble within a bed of non-fueled matrix ceramic in a second die; and applying a second current and a second pressure to the second die so as to form a composite fuel pebble.
1. A method comprising:
coating fuel particles with ceramic powder;
placing the coated fuel particles in a first die; and
applying a first current and a first pressure to the first die so as to form a fuel pebble by direct current sintering,
wherein the fuel particles are tristructural-isotropic fuel particles (TRISO).
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the ceramic powder comprises graphite or silicon carbide.
3. A method comprising:
coating fuel particles with ceramic powder;
placing the coated fuel particles in a first die;
applying a first current and a first pressure to the first die so as to form a fuel pebble by direct current sintering;
removing the fuel pebble from the first die and placing the fuel pebble within a bed of non-fueled matrix ceramic in a second die; and
applying a second current and a second pressure to the second die so as to form a composite fuel pebble.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the non-fueled matrix ceramic comprises graphite.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the non-fueled matrix ceramic further comprises phenolic or other resin binder.
6. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the non-fueled matrix ceramic comprises silicon carbide.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the non-fueled matrix ceramic further comprises a rare-earth oxide neutronic poison selected from the group consisting of Gd 2 O 3 , Er 2 O 3 , Dy 2 O 3 , and Eu 2 O 3 , and combinations thereof.
8. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the non-fueled matrix ceramic further comprises sintering additives selected from the group consisting of Al 2 O 3 and Y 2 O 3 and combinations thereof.
9. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the ceramic powder and the non-fueled matrix ceramic have the same composition.
10. The method according to claim 3 , further comprising adding additional non-fueled matrix ceramic above the fuel pebble in the second die.
11. A method comprising:
coating fuel particles with ceramic powder;
placing the coated fuel particles in a first die; and
applying a first current and a first pressure to the first die so as to form a fuel pebble by direct current sintering; and
machining the fuel pebble to smooth an outer surface of the fuel pebble.