Patent Number: 059784326
Section: claims

1. A dispersion fuel, comprising 30-55 vol % of spherical particles of an alloy dispersed in a nonfissionable matrix, wherein the alloy is selected from the group consisting of (1) uranium and 4-9 wt % Q and (2) uranium, 4-9 wt % Q and 0.1-4 wt % X, wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of Mo, Nb and Zr; and X is selected from the group consisting of Mo, Nb, Zr, Ru, Pt, Si, Ir, Pd, W and Ta, with the proviso that Q.noteq.X, and the uranium is present in a meta-stable .gamma.-U phase. 2. A process of manufacturing spherical particles of an alloy selected from the group consisting of (1) uranium and 4-9 wt % Q and (2) uranium, 4-9 wt % Q and 0.1-4 wt % X, wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of Mo, Nb and Zr; and X is selected from the group consisting of Mo, Nb, Zr, Ru, Pt, Si, Ir, Pd, W and Ta, with the proviso that Q.noteq.X, the process comprising providing uranium and alloying metals Q and optionally X in an atomizing chamber having a vacuum above 10.sup.-3 torr;  melting the uranium and the alloying metals to produce an alloy melt;  forming melt droplets of the alloy melt; and  cooling the melt droplets at a cooling rate of above 10.sup.4 .degree. C./sec to produce spherical particles of the alloy.