Multi-Layered Metal Ceramic Tube

Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3805 BEA, the prime operating contractor for the Department of Energy (DOE) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is seeking expressions of interest from potential licensees wishing to discuss a potential license agreement for the purpose of commercializing the technology described below. This is not an opportunity to provide goods or services to BEA or DOE. This solicitation will close to response sixty (60) days after publication. Parties interested in obtaining additional information should send their request to: Gary W. Smith Sr. Commercialization Manager Technology Deployment Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC P. O. Box 1625 , MS3805 Idaho Falls , ID 83415-3805 At [email protected] INVENTION SUMMARY: BEA has developed a process for making a novel multi-layered metal - ceramic tube having a thin inner layer of zirconium metal alloy with an external ceramic matrix composite (CMC) layer made from continuous silicon carbide fibers with a matrix of silicon carbide ceramic. A thin central inner metallic layer enables hermetic gas tight sealing. At the tube ends a thick metallic wall provides area for end cap welding. The outer fiber reinforced CMC layer provides additional strength to the inner metallic layer and mechanical, environmental and high temperature protection to the inner metallic layer. The novel metal-ceramic tube is particularly seen as a containment vessel for nuclear fuel as used on a nuclear power plant or other similar reactor. The assembled layered tube has an engineered combination of thermal and mechanical features that uniquely result from the combination of metallic and ceramic layers. The inner metallic layer insures hermetic sealing of containment of gases and fuel within the tube and provides for conventional end cap sealing. The outer fiber reinforced ceramic layer imparts additional mechanical strength, stiffness, thermal shock resistance and high temperature load carrying capability above of the inner metallic liner alone. This novel metal- ceramic engineered approach will increase the lifetime and significantly increase the off normal safety margins as compared to current all zirconium alloy metal fuel tubes. Date: 12-21-11