Kress, M.MLZ*

2012

Abstract: At the Research Neutron Source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz it is being worked on the investigationof new methods to produce nuclear fuels and fuel elements with a lowerenrichment compared to the currently used fuel element. Several hundreds of scientistsare participating in this work all over the world, for example in the frameworkof the American RERTR-programme (“Reduced Enrichment for Research and TestReactors“).One aspect of this research is the coating of nuclear fuel powder to prevent thefuel from building up an undesirable interdiffusion layer between the disperse fueland the surrounding aluminium matrix under irradiation. In order to coat thepowder uniformly, spherical powder particles have to be exposed on all sides to thecoating material flux. In the therefor developed prototype this is achieved with aconstant circulation of the powder.The present work’s main topic is the constructive optimization of this prototypewith respect to technical simplification and stabilization of the oscillation behaviourto ensure reproducibility of the process variables and hence the coating results. Toobtain these purposes, the current system is analysed in view of possible optionsto optimise. After the definition of a basic constructional concept, the new systemis developed to a ready-to-assemble state. System mechanics were reviewed, optimizedand completed. In addition, the new system is constructed modularly andcontains a shielding to protect the oscillation generating parts.

Keyword(s): Instrument and Method Development (1st) ; Industrial Application (2nd) ; Instrument and Method Development (2nd)

1. RPHYSICS (RPHYSICS)

1. HEU-MEU: Brennstoffentwicklung