Title :
The manufacturing of zirconium metal powder by means of a high temperature plasma process
Author :
Havenga, J.L. ; Nel, J.T.
Author_Institution :
South African Nucl. Energy Corp. Ltd., Pelindaba, South Africa
Abstract :
Summary form only given. The most general application for high purity zirconium metal alloys is for cladding material for nuclear fuel assemblies in nuclear power plants. A process was developed to manufacture zirconium metal powder from ZrCl4 or ZrF4 with a high temperature DC non - transfer arc plasma. Mg or Ca metal was used as reductant. The reactants were feed directly into the high temperature zone of the plasma flame. A conversion of more than 95 % was achieved. The very fine zirconium powder was collected with a high temperature filter. Different plasma reactor design and plasma conditions were tested.In this presentation the manufacturing of zirconium metal powder via the chloride route with a plasma process will be discussed.
Keywords :
arcs (electric); plasma materials processing; plasma temperature; powder metallurgy; zirconium; Zr; cladding material; high purity zirconium metal alloys; high temperature DC nontransfer arc plasma; high temperature filter; high temperature plasma process; nuclear fuel assemblies; nuclear power plant; plasma condition; plasma flame; plasma reactor design; zirconium metal powder manufacturing; Assembly; Inorganic materials; Manufacturing processes; Nuclear fuels; Plasma applications; Plasma materials processing; Plasma temperature; Powders; Power generation; Zirconium;
Conference_Titel :
Plasma Science, 2010 Abstracts IEEE International Conference on
Conference_Location :
Norfolk, VA
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-5474-7
Electronic_ISBN :
0730-9244
DOI :
10.1109/PLASMA.2010.5534204
