Patents by Inventor Jean P. van Vliet

Jean P. van Vliet has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method for making mixed oxide (U,Pu)O2 nuclear fuel pellets from non-castable UO2 powder
    Patent number: 6764618
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing (U,Pu)O2 mixed oxide nuclear fuel pellets. In a first blending operation, PuO2 is mixed with a UO2 powder and/or fuel manufacturing scrap, forming a first blend. The first blend is micronized and sieved to form a conditioned first blend. Non-free-flowing UO2 is selected as a second portion of UO2. The second portion of UO2 is mechanically granulated to form granulated free-flowing UO2. In a second blending operation, the conditioned first blend is further mixed with the granulated free-flowing UO2 and possibly scrap. Lubricants and/or poreformers are added. The blend is pelletized and sintered. During granulation, the non free-flowing UO2 is compressed to form tablets. The tablets are then crushed until a free-flowing crushed material has been formed. At least one portion of this free flowing crushed material is used in the second blending operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Belgonucleaire SA
    Inventors: Alain Vandergheynst, Jean P. van Vliet, Eduard Pelckmans