Patent ID: 8529713
Filing Date: 2013-09-10
Classification: C21D,G21C,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method for annealing at least a portion of at least one metallic component of a nuclear fission fuel assembly of a nuclear fission reactor, the method comprising: determining an annealing temperature range for at least a portion of at least one metallic component of a nuclear fission fuel assembly of a nuclear fission reactor; in a reactor core of the nuclear fission reactor, annealing at least the portion of the at least one metallic component of the nuclear fission fuel assembly within the annealing temperature range by, responsive to determining an annealing temperature range, establishing at least the portion of the nuclear fission fuel assembly within the annealing temperature range by adjusting operational parameters of the nuclear fission reactor to establish operating conditions of a region of the nuclear fission reactor containing the at least one metallic component within the determined annealing temperature range for a period of time selected to produce annealing of at least the portion of the at least one metallic component; stopping annealing at least the portion of the at least one metallic component of the nuclear fission fuel assembly within the annealing temperature range; and post-anneal treating at least the portion of the at least one metallic component of the nuclear fission fuel assembly by lowering temperature from the annealing temperature range to a quenching temperature range.