DEVELOPMENT OF CONTINUOUS SINTERING OF LOW OXYGEN-to-METAL RATIO MIXED OXIDE PELLETS FOR IMPROVED FAST BREEDER FUELS

摘要

A program was carried out to develop conditions for continuous sintering of 21 and 26 w/o Pu02-U02 fast breeder pellets to obtain an 0/M ratio of 1.95-02- the test variables included two levels of plutonium composition, two moisture levels, two sintering atmospheres and two types of additives for porosity formation. 0/M ratios were obtained within the upper one-third of the desired range for test quantities of 1200 pellets (1.65 Kg) at a continuous sintering rate of 400 pellets per hour. In these tests, the sintering furnace was operated at 1575-1720°C with N28% H2 and Ar-8% H2 atmosphere containing 6 to 19 ppm H20 and 7 ppm 02