SOL-GEL PROCESS - ENGINEERING-SCALE DEMONSTRATION OF THE PREPARATION OF HIGH-DENSITY U02 MICROSPHERES

摘要

A sol-gel process for the preparation of high-density UO2 microspheres in the size range 125 to 210 μ was demonstrated on an engineering scale. The process consists of preparing a 1 M U02 sol by the CUSP process, forming the sol into gelled spheres in a nonfluidized column using hot 2-ethyl-l-hexanol as the dehydrating agent, and calcining the gelled spheres to dense UO2 Eight batches of sol containing approximately 4 kg of UO2 each were prepared, and microspheres were produced in a microsphere forming column that was operated continuously for two one-week periods. Drying was carried put in glass product catchers;firing was done in alumina crucibles in a muffle furnace.