Nitride Nuclear Fuel Production Using Combustion Synthesis

摘要

The retention of transuranic elements in the fuel pellet is the primary focus of this study. Plutonium and americium, in particular, have high vapor pressures resulting in significant losses of material while undergoing traditional fuel pellet manufacturing techniques such as melting or sintering. This project uses an exothermic combustion synthesis method, termed self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS), to produce high density, readily reproducible, ceramic nuclear fuels in conjunction with the fabrication of transmutation fuels. Combustion synthesis offers an alternative process for the synthesis of nitride nuclear fuels whereby the rapid heating and cooling rates minimize material loss and maximize production efficiency.