Use of microwave radiation for preparing uranium oxides from its compounds

Abstract

The formation of uranium oxides by thermal decomposition of uranyl diaquadihydroxylaminate monohydrate, ammonium diuranate, ammonium tricarbonatouranylate, and uranium peroxide under the action of microwave (MW) radiation was studied. Uranium dioxide is formed by decomposition of these compounds in a reducing atmosphere at the MW radiation power of 600 W and treatment time of 5–10 min. In air, under the same conditions, U3O8 is formed. Under the action of MW radiation, substandard ceramic pellets of UO2 fuel can be readily converted in air to powdered U3O8. The use of MW radiation for thermal decomposition of uranium compounds allows the power and time consumption to be considerably reduced relative to the process with electrical resistance furnaces. A quick method for gravimetric testing of the composition of uranium oxides (UO2 or U3O8) using MW radiation was suggested.