Fabrication of low density annular UO/sub 2/--ZrO/sub 2/ fuel pellets (LWBR Development Program)

Technical Report · Wed Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1966

OSTI ID:7013792

Davis, R T

A study was made of various fabrication and product attributes versus density for 44 wt % natural UO/sub 2/--ZrO/sub 2/ annular cylindrical fuel pellets (and a quantity of 36 wt % natural UO/sub 2/--ZrO/sub 2/ pellets) with closed, rounded porosity. Solid-solution powder was prepared via the calcining-Majac milling operation. Ten 5-pound batches were agglomerated with different amounts of -140 +200 mesh dextrose ranging from 0 to 5.72 wt %. Each batch was compacted at two different green densities. As-sintered pellets were inspected for geometric density, open porosity, and dimensions, and analyzed chemically and examined by metallography. Some pellets from each processing condition were also centerless ground and inspected for dimension, geometric density, corrosion resistance and friability. The major problems encountered in fabricating satisfactory pellets were incomplete carbon burnout during pretreatment, difficulties in meeting the desired nominal densities, and difficulties in obtaining dextrose in the necessary size range. (NSA 21: 11282)

• Research Organization: Bettis Atomic Power Lab., Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AT(11-1)-GEN-14
• OSTI ID: 7013792
• Report Number(s): WAPD-TM-608
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050700* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Fuels Production & Properties
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
BREEDER REACTORS
CHALCOGENIDES
FABRICATION
FUEL PELLETS
LWBR TYPE REACTORS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PELLETS
REACTORS
SINTERING
THERMAL REACTORS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM DIOXIDE
URANIUM OXIDES
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
ZIRCONIUM COMPOUNDS
ZIRCONIUM OXIDES