• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.255-263
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• 2006

Vol-oxidizer is a device to convert $UO_2$ pellets into $U_3O_8$ powder and to feed a homogeneous powder into a Metal Conversion Reactor in the ACP(Advanced Spent Fuel Conditioning Process). In this paper, we propose a design model of the vol-oxidizer, develop the new vol-oxidizer with a capacity of 20 kg HM/batch in $UO_2$ pellets, and conduct a verification for the device. Design considerations include the internal structure, the capacity, the heating position of the device, and the size. The dimensions of the new vol-oxidizer are decided by the design model. We determine a permeability test of the $U_3O_8$ measuring the temperature distribution, and the volume of $UO_2$ and $U_3O_8$. We manufactured the new vol-oxidizer for a 20 kg HM/batch in $UO_2$ pellets, and then analyzed the characteristics of the $U_3O_8$ powder for the verification. The experimental results show that the permeability of the $U_3O_8$ throughout mesh enhance more than old vol-oxidizer, the oxidation time takes only 8 hours when compared with the 13 hours of the old device, and the average distribution of particle size is $40{\mu}m$. The capacities of new vol-oxidizer for a 20 kg HM/batch in $UO_2$ pellets were agree well with the predictions of design model.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.140-140
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• 2003

$UO_2$-5wt%CeO$_2$ 분말에 첨가제 Li$_2$O을 첨가하여 소결분위기, 온도 및 첨가량이 소결체의 치밀화와 결정립성장에 미치는 영향을 조사하였으며, $UO_2$-5wt%CeO$_2$소결체의 산화에 의한 분말화 거동을 산화조건에 따라 측정하여 이를 $UO_2$소결체의 분말화 및 산화거동과 비교 분석하였고, 불량 scrap 소결체를 재사용하기 위해 산화실험에서 얻은 최적 산화조건으로 소결체를 분말화하여 원료분말에 첨가, 분말처리후 소결하여 이것이 소결체의 특성에 미치는 영향을 분석하였다. $UO_2$-5wt%CeO$_2$에 Li$_2$O를 첨가하여 소결할 경우, 온도에 대한 영향은 크지 않았으나 첨가량 및 분위기에 따른 치밀화와 결정립성장이 다르게 나타났다. 산화실험에서는 $UO_2$-5wt%CeO$_2$ 혼합소결체시료가 $UO_2$보다 산화에 필요한 유도시간이 길게 나타났으며, 산화온도가 증가함에 따라 무게증가는 감소하였다. 분말처리에서 혼합-분쇄한 경우에는 scrap 첨가량에 따라 밀도는 감소하나, 결정립이 성장하였으며, 전체 기공분율은 증가하였다.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.73-81
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• 2007

This review article considered the electrochemical reduction of uranyl ions on a Pt surface. Specifically, we focussed on the improvement in its reduction current efficiency. First, this article briefly explained the fundamentals of the reduction of uranyl ($UO_2^{2+}$) ions on a Pt surface. Namely, they involved the electrochemical behaviour of uranium species, and electrochemical cell configurations for the reduction of $UO_2^{2+}$ ions. In addition, the effects of adsorbed hydrogen atoms were investigated on the reduction of $UO_2^{2+}$ ions. Finally, this article presented the methods for improving current efficiency of the reduction of $UO_2^{2+}$ ions on a Pt surface. Three different kinds of methods are introduced, which include electrochemical surface treatments of Pt electrode involving hydrogenation and anodisation, the use of catalyst poisons, and formation of thin mercury film on a Pt electrode. Moreover, this article provided some clues about how hydrogenation and catalyst poisons work on the reduction of $UO_2^{2+}$ ions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.258-258
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• 2001

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.411-420
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• 2018

This study presents a revised crackling core model for the description of $UO_2$ sphere oxidation in air atmosphere. For close reproduction of the sigmoid behavior exhibited in $UO_2$ to $U_3O_8$ conversion, the fragmentation effect contributing to the increased reactive surface area and the concept of variable grain conversion time were considered in the model development. Under the assumptions of two-step successive reaction of $UO_2{\rightarrow}U_3O_7{\rightarrow}U_3O_8$ and final grain conversion time equivalent to ten times the initial grain conversion time, the revised model showed good agreement with the experimental data measured at 599 - 674 K and a lowest deviation when compared with Nucleation and Growth model and AutoCatalytic Reaction model. The evaluated activation energy at 100% conversion to $U_3O_8$, $57.6kJ{\cdot}mol^{-1}$, was found to be closer to the experimentally extrapolated value than to the value determined in AutoCatalytic Reaction model, $48.6kJ{\cdot}mol^{-1}$.

• 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

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.1013-1021
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• 2020

A combination of simultaneous thermal analysis, evolved gas analysis and non-ambient XRD techniques was used to characterise and investigate the conversion reactions of ammonium uranates into uranium oxides. Two solid phases of the ternary system NH₃ - UO₃ - H₂O were synthesised under specified conditions. Microspheres prepared by the sol-gel method via internal gelation were identified as 3UO₃·2NH₃·4H₂O, whereas the product of a typical ammonium diuranate precipitation reaction was associated to the composition 3UO₃·NH₃·5H₂O. The thermal decomposition profile of both compounds in air feature distinct reaction steps towards the conversion to U₃O₈, owing to the successive release of water and ammonia molecules. Both compounds are converted into α-U₃O₈ above 550 ℃, but the crystallographic transition occurs differently. In compound 3UO₃·NH₃·5H₂O (ADU) the transformation occurs via the crystalline β-UO₃ phase, whereas in compound 3UO₃·2NH₃·4H₂O (microspheres) an amorphous UO₃ intermediate was observed. The new insights obtained on these uranate systems improve the information base for designing and synthesising minor actinide-containing target materials in future applications.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.410-414
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• 2003

Characteristics of $UO_{2+x}$ powders oxidized at different temperatures were examined. Pellets were fabricated by adding these oxidation powders and their properties were also investigated. Particle size of the $UO_{2+x}$ powders decreased with increasing oxidation temperature while surface area increased. Only the powders oxidized at 35$0^{\circ}C$ enhanced the strength of green pellet. However, 35$0^{\circ}C$ oxidized powders added pellet had many surface defects. The difference of shrinkage rate between the oxidized and UO$_2$ powders was thought to be the cause of them.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.1073-1078
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• 2009

A kinetic model for the oxidation of a $UO_2$ pellet to $U_3O_8$ powder has been suggested by considering the mass transfer and the diffusion of oxygen molecules. The kinetic parameters were estimated by a fitting of the experimental data. The activation energies for the chemical reaction and the product layer diffusion were calculated from the kinetic model. The oxidation conversion of a $UO_2$ pellet was simulated at various operating conditions. The suggested model explains the oxidation behavior of $UO_2$ well.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.1541-1548
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• 2022

The thermal conductivity of uranium oxide (UO₂) containing pores and grain boundaries is investigated using continuum-level simulations based on the finite-difference method in two and three dimensions. Steady-state heat conduction is solved on microstructures generated from the phase-field model of the porous polycrystal to calculate the effective thermal conductivity of the domain. The effects of porosity, pore size, and grain size on the effective thermal conductivity of UO₂ are quantified. Using simulation results, a new empirical model is developed to predict the effective thermal conductivity of porous polycrystalline UO₂ fuel as a function of porosity and grain size.