Method of producing PuO.sub.2 /UO.sub.2 /-nuclear fuels

US4247495A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Alkem GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Karl Ennerst · Kleinostheim, DE
• Peter Funke · Hanau, DE
• Rainer Lob · Karlstein, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 12, 1978
• Grant date: Jan 27, 1981
• Expiry date: Sep 12, 1998

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S376/901
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Production of UO.sub.2 nuclear fuel pellets containing PuO.sub.2 in set amounts, which pellets are soluble in nitric acid and suitable for reprocessing without the aid of a special additive. Uranium oxide powder is mixed with 15 to 50% by weight of the mixture of plutonium oxide powder; the mixture milled and pressed into pellets. The pellets are sintered, comminuted, pressed to form pellets and the pellets comminuted to free-flowing granules. The free-flowing granules are mixed with UO.sub.2 granules to obtain a desired UO.sub.2 /PuO.sub.2 ratio, and the mixture pressed into pellets and sintered to form UO.sub.2 nuclear fuel pellets containing PuO.sub.2 soluble in nitric acid.