Fully ceramic nuclear fuel and related methods

Abstract

Various embodiments of a nuclear fuel for use in various types of nuclear reactors and/or waste disposal systems are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment of a nuclear fuel may include a fuel element having a plurality of tristructural-isotropic fuel particles embedded in a silicon carbide matrix. An exemplary method of manufacturing a nuclear fuel is also disclosed. The method may include providing a plurality of tristructural-isotropic fuel particles, mixing the plurality of tristructural-isotropic fuel particles with silicon carbide powder to form a precursor mixture, and compacting the precursor mixture at a predetermined pressure and temperature.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of manufacturing a nuclear fuel, comprising:
 providing a plurality of tristructural-isotropic fuel particles;   mixing the plurality of tristructural-isotropic fuel particles with silicon carbide powder to form a precursor mixture; and   compacting the precursor mixture at a predetermined pressure and temperature.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the predetermined pressure is at about 10 MPa. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the predetermined temperature is at about 1850° C. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein compacting comprises placing the precursor mixture in a mold having a predetermined shape and pressing the mixture to stress. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the SiC powder has an average particle size of less than 11 μm. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the SiC powder has an average specific surface area greater than 20 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising adding sintering additives to the precursor mixture. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the sintering additives comprise at least one of alumina and rare earth oxides. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the sintering additives comprises about 6 to 10 weight % of the precursor mixture. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the tristructural-isotropic fuel particles are formed by coating fuel kernels with at least one ceramic layer. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of tristructural-isotropic fuel particles comprise transuranic waste extracted from a spent fuel of a light water reactor.