Fabrication of high-density ThO/sub 2/ fuel pellets from freeze-dried granular feed (AWBA development program)

Technical Report · Sun Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:5702206

Burke, T J

Free-flowing thoria granules were prepared by freeze-drying and calcining thorium nitrate microspheres. It was shown that the high density fuel pellets could be produced using the freeze-dried thoria granules and the press-sinter process for pellet fabrication. The use of freeze-dried powders offers the potential for substantial simplification of the conventional pellet fabrication process and is directly applicable for use in remote operated facilities needed for nuclear fuel refabrication.

• Research Organization: Bettis Atomic Power Lab., West Mifflin, PA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC11-76PN00014
• OSTI ID: 5702206
• Report Number(s): WAPD-TM-1524; ON: DE83017631
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
BREEDER REACTORS
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