• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.15 no.1 s.45
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• pp.8-13
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• 2006

The oxidation behavior of $UO_2$, pellet was studied using an XRD and a thermogravimetric analyzer in the temperature range from 573 to 873 K and in the density range from 94.64 to 99.10% of theoretical density in air. It was found from the XRD study that $UO_2$ was completely converted to $U_3O_8$ in this experimental temperature range. The formation of $U_3O_8$ displays sigmoidal reaction kinetics. The oxidation rate was reduced with density. Induction time for the oxidation of $UO_2$ was delayed with density because of open pore formed in surface of $UO_2$ pellet. The activation energy for oxidation of $UO_2$ was determined to be 89.54 kJ/mol and 34.40 kJ/mol in the temperature range from 573 to 723 K and from 723 to 873 K, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.646-654
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• 1999

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.303.2-303
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• 2001

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.309.2-309
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• 2001

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.273.2-273
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• 2002

• 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.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.274.1-274
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• 2002

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.223-230
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• 2013

When a new nuclear fuel is developed, an irradiation test needs to be carried out in the research reactor to analyze the performance of the new nuclear fuel. In order to check the performance of a nuclear fuel during the irradiation test in the test loop of a research reactor, sensors need to be attached in and out of the fuel rod and connect them with instrumentation cables to the measuring device located outside of the reactor pool. In particular, to check the temporary temperature change at the center of a nuclear fuel during the irradiation test, a thermocouple should be instrumented at the center of the fuel rod. Therefore, a hole needs to be made at the center of fuel pellet to put in the thermocouple. However, because the hardness and the density of a sintered $UO_2$ pellet are very high, it is difficult to make a small fine hole on a sintered $UO_2$ pellet using a simple drilling machine even though we use a diamond drill bit made by electro deposition. In this study, an automated drilling machine using a CVD diamond drill has been developed to make a fine hole in a fuel pellet without changing tools or breakage of workpiece. A sintered alumina ($Al_2O_3$) block which has a higher hardness than a sintered $UO_2$ pellet is used as a test specimen. Then, it is verified that a precise hole can be drilled off without breakage of the drill bit in a short time.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.236-239
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• 2003

The spent fuel slitting device is an equipment developed in order to feed UO$_2$pellet to the dry pulverizing/mixing device. In this study, we have compared and analyzed the handling method of the slitting and that of the pellet and hull, processing time, separating time for 20kgHM, the number of blades, on the existing slitting device using in DUPIC, and spent fuel management technology research and test facility. Also, we have compared and analyzed about an advantage and weak point, designing and producing, processing, establishment, operation, maintenance about the vertical and horizontal slitting device. Based on these results, we have developed the vertical slitting device. By using the results, we have enhanced the slitting processing time(over 40%)in comparison with DUPIC device, and it will is effectively applied to available data for designing and producing of the hot test facility.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.608-617
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• 1999

The powder mixture which has a bimodal size distribution, with a large mode corresponding to AUC-UO$_2$ powder and a small one corresponding to ADU-UO$_2$ powder, was prepared, pressed into compacts, and sintered at 1680t for 4 hours in hydrogen gas. The compact density of the powder mixture increases with increasing ADU-UO$_2$content within a content of 20 wt %, since small ADU-UO$_2$ particles can fill interstices between large AUC-UO$_2$particles. The UO$_2$ pellet made using the powder mixture has a lower open porosity than that made using AUC-UO$_2$ powder alone. The mechanism for the formation of a flake-like pore is proposed, and the decrease in open porosity may be ascribed to the decrease in the number of flake-like pores.