NUCLEAR REACTOR FUEL ELEMENT HAVING SILICON CARBIDE MULTILAYERED CLADDING AND THORIA-BASED FISSIONABLE FUEL

摘要

A nuclear fuel element for use in water-cooled nuclear power reactors. The fuel element includes a multilayered silicon carbide cladding tube. The multilayered silicon carbide cladding tube preferably includes an inner layer and a central layer. Also, in one embodiment, the ends further include hermetically sealed end caps. The cladding tube is sized to receive a stack of individual fissionable fuel pellets. In one embodiment, the fuel pellets comprise a mixture of thorium oxide and plutonium oxide.