IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CERAMIC FUELS FOR NUCLEAR REACTORS

Patent · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1963

OSTI ID:4694050

Sowden, R G

A process for the production of ceramic fuel material enriched with Pu is patented. A Pu compound, such as plutonyl dinitrate, is dissolved in an organic solvent. The preferred solvent is methyl isobutyl ketone (hexone). The solution is mixed with an organic polymer, which is suitable as a binding agent, and the mixture is added to powdered uranium dioxide, then compacted and sintered. Polybutyl methacrylate may be used as the binding agent, but polyvinyl esters and other polymethacrylate esters may be used. The binding agent may be plasticized with glycerol or dibutyl-phthalate, and the solvent for the binding agent is preferably hexone. The process has the advantage of adding the Pu to the U at the last practicable moment, thus avoiding the special techniques required for handling Pu. (M.P.G.)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-17-029305
• OSTI ID: 4694050
• Report Number(s): GB 924939
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ADHESION
ALCOHOLS
BUTYL RADICALS
CERAMICS
COMPACTING
ENRICHMENT
FUELS
GLYCERIN
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
METHACRYLIC ACID
METHYL RADICALS
MIXING
NITRATES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLUTONIUM
PLUTONIUM COMPOUNDS
POLYESTERS
POLYMERS
POLYVINYLS
REACTORS
REMOTE HANDLING
SINTERING
SOLUTIONS
SOLVENTS
URANIUM DIOXIDE