• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.117-124
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• 2014

The effect of various process variables on the powder properties of recycled $U_3O_8$ from MnO-$Al_2O_3$ doped large grain $UO_2$ pellets and the effect of those recycled $U_3O_8$ powders on the sintered density and grain size of MnO-$Al_2O_3$ doped large grain $UO_2$ pellets have been investigated. The evolution of morphology, size, and BET surface area of the recycled $U_3O_8$ powders according to the respective variation of the thermo-mechanical treatment variables of oxidation temperature, powder milling, and sequential cyclic heat treatment of oxidation and then reduction was examined. The correlation between the BET surface area of recycled $U_3O_8$ powder and the sintered pellet properties of MnO-$Al_2O_3$ doped pellets showed that the pellet density and grain size of doped pellets were increased and then saturated by increasing the BET surface area of the recycled $U_3O_8$ powder. The density and grain size of the pellets were maximized when the BET surface area of the recycled $U_3O_8$ powder was in the vicinity of $3m^2/g$. Among the process variables applied in this study, the cyclic heat treatment followed by low temperature oxidation was a potential process combination to obtain the sinter-active $U_3O_8$ powder.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.660-664
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• 2000

Effect of various kinds of additive such as AlOOH, Al(OH)3, Al2Si2O5(OH)4, Nb2O5, TiO2 and MgO on the properties and microstructures of UO2 pellet has been examined. All the tested dopants had played a role to reduce sintered density and open porosity. It was revealed that the addition of TiO2 made pellet more stable thermally. UO2 pellet doped with 0.2wt% TiO2 was swelled rather than densified after annealing for 24 hrs at 1$700^{\circ}C$. It was attributed to large pore with spherical shape. Titinia and silicon coexisted with Al element were more effective to increase grain size than other additives. It could be also revealed that the formation of liquid phase was the main cause of grain growth.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.484-492
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• 1994

Microstructures of Nb$_2$O$_{5}$-doped UO$_2$ pellets have been investigated during sintering under H$_2$ and $CO_2$ atmospheres. Pellets are sintered at 1$700^{\circ}C$ in H$_2$ atmosphere and at 130$0^{\circ}C$ in $CO_2$ atmosphere for 1 to 41 hr. The addison of Nb$_2$O$_{5}$ causes the formation of large pores, which shrink to some extent in H$_2$ atmosphere but very little in $CO_2$. Fine pores in the Nb$_2$O$_{5}$-doped UO$_2$ pellet are almost annihilated when sintered under H$_2$ atmosphere but little changed under $CO_2$ atmosphere. The increase in grain size due to Nb$_2$O$_{5}$ addition is much larger in H$_2$ atmosphere than in $CO_2$. Thus the enhancement of uranium diffusion in UO$_2$ due to the Nb$_2$O$_{5}$ addition is thought to be more significant in H$_2$ atmosphere. Microstructures of Nb$_2$O$_{5}$-doped UO$_2$ pellets sintered in H$_2$ atmosphere are discussed from the viewpoint of in-reactor performance. Possible defects formation due to Nb$_2$O$_{5}$ addition is discussed to explain the enhancement of uranium diffusion in H$_2$ and $CO_2$ atmospheres.> atmospheres.