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Continuous conversion of uranium/plutonium nitrates to oxides

Journal Article · · Nucl. Technol., v. 20, no. 1, pp. 60-63
OSTI ID:4370830
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>A continuous fluidized-bed process for the conversion of uranium/ plutonium nitrates to oxides is under development to facilitate the recycle of plutonium in the nuclear fuel cycle. The basic process consists of two steps, each performed in a separate fluid-bed reactor: (a) codenitration at 375 deg C of uranyl nitrate -plutonium nitrate solutions to a UO/sub 3/ - PuO/sub 2/ powder form, and (b) reduction of the UO/sub 3/-PuO/sub 2/ with hydrogen at 600 deg C to form UO/sub 2/- PuO/sub 2/. Pilot-plant denitration studies with uranyl nitrate- plutonium nitrate solutions containing uranium/plutonium ratios of 50 and 4, and plutonium nitrate solution alone are described, as well as reduction of UO/sub 3/- PuO/sub 2/ powder. Examination of the UO/sub 3/ - PuO/sub 2/ denitration product by autoradiographic and electron microprobe techniques showed that the PuO/sub 2/ was distributed in the UO/sub 3/ matrix with a high degree of homogeneity. The conversion process appears to be applicable over the entire range of uranium-plutonium concentrations and for plutonium nitrate alone. The suitability of this product for the fabrication of fuel pellets is being studied in cooperation with nuclear fuel manufacturers. (auth)

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL
NSA Number:
NSA-29-007654
OSTI ID:
4370830
Journal Information:
Nucl. Technol., v. 20, no. 1, pp. 60-63, Journal Name: Nucl. Technol., v. 20, no. 1, pp. 60-63; ISSN NUTYB
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

*PLUTONIUM NITRATES-- DENITRATION
*PLUTONIUM OXIDES-- CHEMICAL PREPARATION
*URANIUM DIOXIDE-- CHEMICAL PREPARATION
*URANIUM TRIOXIDE-- CHEMICAL PREPARATION
*URANYL NITRATES-- DENITRATION
FLUIDIZED BED
FUEL CYCLE
HYDROGEN
N40240 --Chemistry--Inorganic
Organic
& Physical Chemistry--Feed Materials Processing
N40450* --Chemistry--Radiochemistry & Nuclear Chemistry-- Reactor Fuel Processing
N50120 --Metals
Ceramics
& Other Materials--Ceramics & Cermets--Preparation & Fabrication
NUCLEAR FUELS
PLUTONIUM
REDUCTION
REPROCESSING
URANIUM
URANIUM NITRATES