Abstract: A solution of acid deficient uranyl nitrate has a formula of UO2(OH)y(NO3)2-y, where y ranges from 0.1 to 0.5. The solution is prepared by placing UxOz in aqueous nitric acid to produce a uranium solution, wherein x is 1 to 3 and z is 2 to 8; placing the uranium solution under a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure in a sealed reaction chamber; and heating the uranium solution to a desired temperature of between 150° C. and 250° C. by applying microwave energy to the uranium solution. The uranium solution is maintained at the desired temperature under a pressure of from 5 atmospheres to 40 atmospheres for a hold time of 15 minutes to 6 hours to produce the desired acid deficient uranyl nitrate.

Abstract: Metal oxide gel particles, may be prepared with a desired particle size, by preparing a low-temperature aqueous metal nitrate solution containing hexamethylene tetramine as a feed solution; and causing the feed solution to flow through a first tube and exit the first tube as a first stream at a first flow rate, so as to contact a high-temperature nonaqueous drive fluid. The drive fluid flows through a second tube at a second flow rate. Shear between the first stream and the drive fluid breaks the first stream into particles of the metal nitrate solution, and decomposition of hexamethylene tetramine converts metal nitrate solution particles into metal oxide gel particles. A metal oxide gel particle size is measured optically, using a sensor device directed at a flow of metal oxide gel particles within the stream of drive fluid.

Abstract: Nuclear fuel elements may include: a fuel zone including fuel particles disposed in parallel layers in a matrix including graphite powder; and a shell comprising graphite and surrounding the fuel zone. The fuel particles may include fissile particles, burnable poison particles, breeder particles, or a combination thereof. The fuel zone may include a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region, and a fuel particle density of the peripheral region may be greater than a fuel particle density of the central region.

Abstract: A multi-inlet gas distributor for a fluidized bed chemical vapor deposition reactor that may include a distributor body having an inlet surface, an exit surface opposed to the inlet surface, and a side perimeter surface. The distributor body may also include multiple-inlets evenly spaced from each other, wherein the multiple-inlets penetrate the distributor body from the inlet surface to a first depth. The distributor body may additionally include cone-shaped apertures connecting to corresponding ones of the multiple-inlets at the first depth and extend from the first depth toward the exit surface. An apex may be formed on the exit surface at the intersection of the cone-shaped apertures.

Abstract: Metal oxide gel particles, may be prepared with a desired particle size, by preparing a low-temperature aqueous metal nitrate solution containing hexamethylene tetramine as a feed solution; and causing the feed solution to flow through a first tube and exit the first tube as a first stream at a first flow rate, so as to contact a high-temperature nonaqueous drive fluid. The drive fluid flows through a second tube at a second flow rate. Shear between the first stream and the drive fluid breaks the first stream into particles of the metal nitrate solution, and decomposition of hexamethylene tetramine converts metal nitrate solution particles into metal oxide gel particles. A metal oxide gel particle size is measured optically, using a sensor device directed at a flow of metal oxide gel particles within the stream of drive fluid.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing nuclear fuel elements may include: forming a base portion of the fuel element by depositing a powdered matrix material including a mixture of a graphite material and a fibrous material; depositing particles on the base portion in a predetermined pattern to form a first particle layer, by controlling the position of each particle in the first particle layer; depositing the matrix material on the first particle layer to form a first matrix layer; depositing particles on the first matrix layer in a predetermined pattern to form a second particle layer by controlling positions of each particle in the second particle layer; depositing the matrix material on the second particle layer to form a second matrix layer; and forming a cap portion of the fuel pebble by depositing the matrix material. The particles in the first particle layer and the second particle layer include nuclear fuel particles.

Abstract: Nuclear fuel elements may include: a fuel zone including fuel particles disposed in parallel layers in a matrix including graphite powder; and a shell comprising graphite and surrounding the fuel zone. The fuel particles may include fissile particles, burnable poison particles, breeder particles, or a combination thereof. The fuel zone may include a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region, and a fuel particle density of the peripheral region may be greater than a fuel particle density of the central region.

Abstract: A fluidized gas reactor includes a system for preventing a fluidizing gas comprising a reactant from premature reaction. The fluidized gas reactor includes a reaction chamber including a particle bed; a gas distribution plate having a plurality of openings therethrough, wherein each opening opens into the reaction chamber; and a plurality of vertical fluidizing gas inlet tubes, each of the fluidizing gas inlet tubes being in fluid communication with one of the openings in the gas distribution plate. Each fluidizing gas inlet tube is configured to receive a fluidizing gas and transport the fluidizing gas to the reaction chamber. A fluidizing gas source provides a stream of the fluidizing gas to the fluidizing gas inlet tubes. A coolant system prevents the fluidizing gas from undergoing reaction before entering the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Entrained particles from an exhaust gas stream may be removed from the gas stream with a device including a housing having a top, an inner surface, and a bottom with a hole passing therethrough, where the housing further includes an impact surface. An entrance pipe guides the exhaust gas stream into the housing toward the impact surface, and is arranged so that the entrance pipe has an inner diameter x; and the impact surface is separated from the opening of the entrance pipe by a distance y, wherein y is between 3x and ?x. An exit pipe guide the exhaust gas stream out of the housing. A receptacle is removably connected to the hole in the bottom of the housing. The impact surface diverts the exhaust gas stream from a first flow direction to a second flow direction, causing the entrained particles to fall from the exhaust gas stream into the receptacle before entering the exit pipe.

Abstract: A dust filtration unit for a frac sand storage bin and a method for using the same is disclosed. The dust filtration unit includes an adapter base adapted for attachment to an opened inspection hatch on the sand storage bin, a diffuser manifold attached to the adapter base, and a top plate of the diffuser manifold defining a plurality of filter bag orifices. Each of a plurality of filter bags is releasably attached to one of the plurality of filter bag orifices. In a non-limiting embodiment, the dust filtration unit further includes a hinge between the adapter base and the diffuser manifold, wherein the hinge rotatably attaches the adapter base to the diffuser manifold.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing nuclear fuel elements may include: forming a base portion of the fuel element by depositing a powdered matrix material including a mixture of a graphite material and a fibrous material; depositing particles on the base portion in a predetermined pattern to form a first particle layer, by controlling the position of each particle in the first particle layer; depositing the matrix material on the first particle layer to form a first matrix layer; depositing particles on the first matrix layer in a predetermined pattern to form a second particle layer by controlling positions of each particle in the second particle layer; depositing the matrix material on the second particle layer to form a second matrix layer; and forming a cap portion of the fuel pebble by depositing the matrix material. The particles in the first particle layer and the second particle layer include nuclear fuel particles.

Abstract: A method of mass producing nuclear fuel elements may include: forming a graphite base portion of the fuel elements; repeatedly performing a sequence of operations comprising depositing a uniform graphite layer over a previous layer, depositing a layer of particles on the uniform graphite layer within a fuel zone diameter, so that the particles are spaced apart in a predefined pattern, and applying a binder using additive manufacturing methods to bind each layer with successively increasing and then decreasing diameters to form a central portion of fuel elements including a fuel-containing fuel zone; and repeatedly performing a sequence of operations comprising forming a uniform graphite layer on a previous layer and applying a binder using additive manufacturing methods to bind each layer with successively decreasing diameters to form a cap portion of fuel elements. The particles may include one or more of a nuclear fuel material, burnable poison material, or breeder material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing nuclear fuel elements may include: forming a graphite base portion of the fuel element; depositing a first layer of graphite spheres on the base portion; depositing a first layer of fuel, burnable poison and/or breeder particles on the first layer of graphite spheres; forming a second layer of graphite spheres on the first layer of particles; depositing a second layer of fuel, burnable poison and/or breeder particles on the second layer of graphite spheres; and forming a graphite cap portion of the fuel element. Fuel, burnable poison and/or breeder particles of the first layer may be are spaced apart by substantially the same distance, and fuel, burnable poison and/or breeder particles of the second layer may be spaced apart by substantially the same distance. The fuel element may be a spherical fuel pebble. The fuel particles may be tri-structural-isotropic (TRISO) particles without an overcoat.