Patent ID: 11935661
Assignee: BWXT NUCLEAR ENERGY, INC.
Field: Engines, pumps, turbines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC G  B  C  F  Y | IPC B  C  F  G

Claim 5:
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the channel blanks is a refractory metal rod, and the method further comprises:
before assembling the plurality of channel blanks in spaced-apart relation inside the can assembly, (a) forming a channel coating on a surface of each of the refractory metal rods, the channel coating having a composition including tungsten, molybdenum, or combinations thereof, and (b) forming the plurality of spacer structures on a surface of each of the channel coatings, the plurality of spacer structures including a second plurality of ceramic fuel particles and an organic binder;
after assembling the plurality of channel blanks in spaced-apart relation inside the can assembly and before sealing the can assembly, heating the unsealed can assembly under a vacuum to debind the plurality of spacer structures; and
after forming the CERMET fuel meat, removing the refractory metal rods of the channel blanks while leaving in place the channel coatings,
wherein the second plurality of ceramic fuel particles have a composition including high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) with U-235 assay above 5 percent and below 20 percent and a fuel particle coating containing tungsten or containing molybdenum and tungsten, and
wherein, after forming, the CERMET fuel meat includes the first plurality of ceramic fuel particles and the second plurality of ceramic fuel particles.