Abstract: An anti-caking device has a plunger with a plunger head moveable between first and second positions. In the first position, the plunger head forms a surface with the housing, and in the second position, the plunger head is moved to provide at least a crack around its perimeter relative to the housing, whereby fluid proceeds from a fluid supply through the crack to assist in dislodging caked on material on the surface. Preferably, relatively low pressure fluid is utilized in many embodiments.

Abstract: A novel containment system for encapsulating nuclear fuel particles is disclosed. The containment system has a gas-impervious ceramic composite hollow shell having a spheroidal or ovoidal shape. The shell has a pair of longitudinally aligned round openings that are sealed with a gas-impervious ceramic composite tube to define a cavity between the shell inner surface and the tube outer surface. A ceramic composite matrix containing the nuclear fuel particles is enclosed within the cavity. The ceramic composite matrix has a controlled porosity, and can contain moderators or neutron absorbing material. The tube and shell are composed of a ceramic matrix composite material composed of ceramic reinforcement material that is bound together by a polymer-derived ceramic material.