Abstract

The UO2 nuclear fuel pellet process for light water reactors (LWR) includes the conversion of uranium hexafluoride (UF6) into UO2 powder and the fabrication of UO2 pellets from such UO2 powder. In the paper, studies on UO2 pellet process from ammonium diuranate-derived uranium dioxide powder (UO2 ex-ADU powder) were reported. The UO2 ex-ADU powders were converted from ADU at various temperatures of 973 K, 1023 K and 1073 K and then UO2 pellets prepared from the powders were sintered at temperatures of 1923 K, 1973 K and 2023 K for times of 4 h, 6 h and 8 h. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on quadratic central composite design (CCD) type of face centered (CCF) improved by Box and Hunter was used to model the UO2 pellet process, using MODDE 5.0 software as an assessing tool. On the base of the proposed model, the relationship between the technological parameters and density of the UO2 pellet product was suggested to control the UO2 ex-ADU pellet process as desired levels.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.