Particle size of several plutonium-238 oxide fuel samples from oxalate precipitation processes

Technical Report · Tue Mar 03 04:00:00 EST 2020

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1602732· OSTI ID:1602732

Mulford, Roberta Nancy ^[1]; Parker, Edward Goodfellow (Ned) ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Particle size of ²³⁸PuO₂ powders is an important factor in determining the structural integrity of fuel pellets hot-pressed from the oxide powder. Understanding the evolution of particle size during aqueous processing is a first step in assuring control of particle size throughout the pellet formation process. Measured particle sizes are reported here, and discussed in terms of measured particle size changes occurring during calcining, observed aggregation of particulate, and particle morphology. Morphology and aggregation are related to surface energy, which governs granule formation and hot pressing behavior. Results are discussed in terms of reported dependence of oxide morphology on process temperatures and reagent concentrations.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• DOE Contract Number: 89233218CNA000001
• OSTI ID: 1602732
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--20-22030
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
particle size