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Title: PREPARATION OF UO$sub 2$ FOR NUCLEAR REACTOR FUEL PELLETS

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4830174

A method is given for preparing high-density UO/sub 2/ compacts. An aqueous uranyl fluoride solution is contacted with an aqueous ammonium hydroxide solution at an ammonium to-uranium ratio of 25: 1 to 30:1 to form a precipitate. The precipitate is separated from the- mother liquor, dried, and contacted with steam at a uniform temperature within the range of 400 to 650 deg C to produce U/ sub 3/O/sub 8/. The U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ is red uced to UO/sub 2/ with hydrogen at a uniform temperature within the range of 550 to 600 deg C. The UO/sub 2/ is then compressed into compacts and sintered. High-density compacts are fabricated to close tolerances without use of a binder and without machining or grinding. (AEC)

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-16-019327
Assignee:
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
Patent Number(s):
US 3037839
OSTI ID:
4830174
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-62
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English