REDUCTION RECRYSTALLIZATION OF URANIUM OXIDES IN MOLYBDATE MELTS

摘要

The presence of traces of water dissolved in a sodium molybdate melt and the interaction of this water with a metal surface (NP-2 nickel) in contact with the melt are confirmed. It is shown experimentally that U_3O_8 can be reduced to UO_2 in sodium molybdate melt by the hydrogen that is released during such an interaction. A technological process of reprocessing spent oxide nuclear fuel using the phenomenon studied is described.