Abstract
Cermets are suggested as new kind of nuclear fuel to reduce global costs. They need high enriched fuel and thus use of burnable poison. Special pellets were developed and irradiated to test such concepts. Some pellets consist of a cermet fuel. With an improved fuel thermal conductivity (by using metal matrix), lower temperatures than standard fuel are obtained. Some pellets were made of cermet and erbium in small quantity. Studies on erbium were launched to determine the influence of this neutron poison. Standard dissolutions (HNO3, HF) on cermet (Mo-UO2) and on erbium doped cermet show a large amount of insoluble matter. Tests have been carried out in order to establish a procedure for a complete dissolution of active pellets. Consequently, an optimal process was defined. Irradiated pellets from experimental reactor SILOE will be dissolved. Analytical chemistry studies were undertaken. Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) and Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry (GDMS) have been applied. The U and Er isotopic composition has been determined on different samples.
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