Equipment for Remote Injection Casting of EBR-II Fuel

Precision injection casting is a method developed at Argonne National Laboratory to produce semifinished fuel pins. It has been adapted to the remote refabrication of EBR-II fuel. Inert gas pressure is used to force molten fuel alloy into thoria-coated, precision-bore, high silica glass molds. During EBR-II, Core I production, 16,000 fuel castings were produced in batches of 120 using an experimental injection casting furnace. The specified weight, diametral tolerance, surface finish and internal soundness specifications were successfully met. Remote controlled equipment was designed from experience gained during Core I production.