Patent ID: 10991473

Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a fuel assembly for use in a core of a nuclear power reactor. The method includes manufacturing each of a plurality of elongated fuel elements by mixing powdered fuel material with powdered metal non-fuel material. The mixed powdered fuel material and metal non-fuel material is sintered to create a fuel core stock, the fuel core stock is surrounded with a cladding material, and the fuel core stock and cladding material are co-extruded to create the fuel element. The fuel element has a spirally twisted, multi-lobed profile that defines a plurality of spiral ribs. The multi-lobed profile includes lobe tips and intersections between adjacent lobes. The cladding is thicker at the tips than at the intersections. The plurality of elongated fuel elements are mounted to a frame of the fuel assembly. A moderator:fuel ratio in a region of the fuel elements is 2.5 or less.