General Atomic Company

Dwight E Davis

David F Leary

Roy G Cooper

Stephen J Foster

Albert Stevens Ballard

A blending device is described for providing a uniform mix of particulate material. A pressurized fluid is conducted into a plenum surrounding a mixing chamber proximate the lower end thereof. An annular slit in the wall between the plenum and the mixing chamber allows the pressurized fluid to discharge through the slit for agitating particulate material contained in the mixing chamber.

Blending device

Particulate graphite having a particle size not greater than about 1500 microns is impregnated with a polymerizeable organic compound in liquid form. The impregnated particles are treated with a hot aqueous acid solution to at least begin the polymerization reaction and remove excess impregnant from the outer surface thereof. The treated particles are heated to complete the polymerization and then blended with particulate nuclear fuel. A nuclear fuel body is formed by joining the blend into a cohesive mass using a carbonaceous binder.

Method of making nuclear fuel bodies

A mold cavity is only partially filled with nuclear fuel particles and is closed. The volume of the cavity is then reduced until the fuel particles substantially fill the mold cavity. The mold may be heated and a fluid solidifiable binder injected into the mold cavity to fill the interstices between the fuel particles while the cavity volume is further decreased during injection of the binder to avoid formation of voids. Flow of excess binder through an upper vent passage assures complete filling of the cavity.

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Escondido, CA, United States of America

Dwight E Davis