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873,112. Nuclear fuel elements. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. Ltd. June 25, 1959 [July 2, 1958; Dec. 9, 1958], Nos. 21218/58 and 39661/58. Class 39(4). A fuel element for a nuclear reactor of the kind wherein the elements are situated in cooling channels comprises a carrier adapted for insertion in a channel, the carrier being formed with or providing at least one duct through which coolant may flow, and a plurality of fuel members arranged across the or each duct at intervals in the direction of fluid flow through the ducts. Figs. 1 and 2 show a plan and cross-section of an arrangement comprising a number of rows of fuel members in two groups of columns of which the end members are 2a, 2b. The fuel members are elliptical in section and comprise fuel, such as uranium dioxide, enclosed within a sheath and provided with graphite spacers at each end to prevent overheating of the ends. Sheathing is completed to allow as much voidage as possible for the accumulation and retention of fission product gases. The fuel members are supported at their ends in slots formed in graphite spacers 8 which are assembled in grooves formed in opposite walls of a square duct in a carrier 1 of graphite or other suitable material. The fuel element can be charged and discharged as a composite assembly into a fuel channel and is provided with slots 13 for engagement by a fuel handling probe. The carrier 1 is recessed at diametrically opposite regions for engagement by keys 14 provided in the fuel channel to orientate the element. In another arrangement, Figs. 4, 5 (not shown), the carrier is a hollow cylinder formed in two halves joined together. Fig. 6 shows a partsectional elevation and Fig: 7 a section along line D-D of Fig. 6 of a fuel member for this arrangement. The stainless steel sheathing of the member is elliptical in section and contains 8 pellets 30 of uranium dioxide. The fuel is provided with holes 34, 35 which reduce its central temperature and collect fission product gases, A magnesium oxide spacer 31 is provided at each end to protect the end caps from the high temperature of the fuel in operation. The end caps are welded to the sheathing and carry spigots 33 which engage holes in the carrier wall and retain the member in position. In an alternative fuel member Fig. 8 (not shown), the fuel is in the form of rods and is enclosed in a sheath of impermeable graphite, the space between the rods and the sheath being filled with spongy graphite. The fuel members may be provided with fins which may vary in size or spacing along the member. The fuel members need not lie parallel to the cross-section of the carrier but may be inclined, alternate members in each row being inclined in opposite directions, Fig. 9 (not shown).
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