Patent ID: 7192466
Filing Date: 2007-03-20
Classification: B22F,C22C,G21C,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of preparing particles of a metal or metal alloy suitable for use or incorporation into a nuclear fuel, comprising the steps of: a) melting a fluid mass of the metal or metal alloy in an inert gas atmosphere; b) converting the fluid mass of the metal or metal alloy into molten metal or metal alloy jet formed by ejecting the fluid mass of metal or alloy through a nozzle under pressure; c) providing an inert gas envelope surrounding the molten metal or metal alloy jet by ejecting an inert gas through an orifice that surrounds the orifice of the nozzle; and d) ejecting the molten metal or alloy jet into a quenching fluid imparted with a centrifugal rotation movement, whereby atomisation of the molten metal or metal alloy jet into particles and quenching of the particles are carried out.