• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.285-292
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• 1995

Uranium has variable oxidation states(${UO_2}^{+2}$, $UO^{+2}$, $U^{+4}$, $U^{+3}$) and 1-(2-Pyridylazo)-2-naphthol forms a very stable chelate with Uranium(${UO_2}^{+2}$). The determination method of Uranium(${UO_2}^{+2}$) in 0.1M Borate buffer(pH 7.10) has been investigated by adsorptive stripping voltammetry. The optimum conditions were PAN concentration of $5{\times}10^{-7}M$, accumulation potential of 0.00V(vs. Ag/AgCl) and accumulation time of 120sec. The calibration curve was linear over the range of $5{\sim}60{\mu}g/L$ and the various metal ions did not interfere with the determination Uranium(${UO_2}^{+2}$) except Cu(II) and Co(II).

• 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.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 1997

Air-oxidation experiments on unirradiated and irradiated UO$_2$ were performed at temperature from 150 to 375$^{\circ}C$ for investigating the long-term storage behavior of spent PWR fuel. The rate of oxidation was monitored by a thermogravimetric analyzer(TGA) and an X-ray diffraction(XRD). The correlation between the onset-time for U$_3$O$_{8}$ formation and temperature was given as follows, logt(hr) = -12.89+7650/T(K), 423$_2$ pellet, the oxidation rate of irradiated UO$_2$ increase more rapidly at the initial stage and shows a lower saturation point at the later Stage. The Oxidation rate of high bumup UO$_2$ and gadolinia-doped UO$_2$(Gd$_2$O$_3$-UO$_2$) were observed to be much slower than that of unirradiated UO$_2$ pellets.s.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.254-261
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• 2009

In this study, we investigated the unit process parameters in spherical $UO_2$ kernel preparation. Nearly perfect spherical $UO_3$ microspheres were obtained from the 0.6M of U-concentration in the broth solution, and the microstructure of the $UO_2$ kernel appeared the good results in the calcining, reducing, and sintering processes. For good sphericity, high density, suitable microstructure, and no-crack final $UO_2$ microspheres, the temperature control range in calcination process was $300{\sim}450^{\circ}C$, and the microstructure, the pore structure, and the density of $UO_2$ kernel could be controlled in this temperature range. Also, the concentration changes of the ageing solution in aging step were not effective factor in the gelation of the liquid droplets, but the temperature change of the ageing solution was very sensitive for the final ADU gel particles.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2009

The effects of thermal treatment conditions on ADU (ammonium diuranate) prepared by SOL-GEL method, so-called GSP (Gel supported precipitation) process, were investigated for $UO_2$ kernel preparation. In this study, ADU compound particles were calcined to $UO_3$ particles in air and Ar atmospheres, and these $UO_3$ particles were reduced and sintered in 4%-$H_2$/Ar. During the thermal calcining treatment in air, ADU compound was slightly decomposed, and then converted to $UO_3$ phases at $500^{\circ}C$. At $600^{\circ}C$, the $U_3O_8$ phase appeared together with $UO_3$. After sintering of theses particles, the uranium oxide phases were reduced to a stoichiometric $UO_2$. As a result of the calcining treatment in Ar, more reduced-form of uranium oxide was observed than that treated in air atmosphere by XRD analysis. The final phases of these particles were estimated as a mixture of $U_3O_7$ and $U_4O_9$.

• 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, $48.6kJ{\cdot}mol^{-1}$.

• 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.49 no.3
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• pp.541-548
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• 2017

Uranium metal used for fabrication of fuel for research reactors in India is generally produced by magnesio-thermic reduction of $UF_4$. Performance of magnesio-thermic reaction and recovery and quality of uranium largely depends on properties of $UF_4$. As ammonium diuranate (ADU) is first product in powder form in the process flow-sheet, properties of $UF_4$ depend on properties of ADU. ADU is generally produced from uranyl nitrate solution (UNS) for natural uranium metal production and from uranyl fluoride solution (UFS) for low enriched uranium metal production. In present paper, ADU has been produced via both the routes. Variation of uranium recovery and crystal structure and composition of ADU with progress in precipitation reaction has been studied with special attention on first appearance of the precipitate Further, ADU produced by two routes have been calcined to $UO_3$, then reduced to $UO_2$ and hydroflorinated to $UF_4$. Effect of two different process routes of ADU precipitation on the characteristics of ADU, $UO_3$, $UO_2$ and $UF_4$ were studied here.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.323-329
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• 1999

Synthesis of inorganic nanophase particles was performed to verify and understand the binding of non-ferrous metal ions including Al and $UO_2$ to the apoferritin molecules. Reconstituted inorganic particles of Al or $UO_2$ were identified by TEM as discrete electron dense cores encapsulated within the protein shell. The corresponding EDXA spectra confirm the presence of metal ions in the reconstituted ferritin. The Al cores of ferritin has been studied by TEM for the first time. Bimetallic cores with Al/Fe and $UO_2/Al$ were also produced and examined under TEM. Mixed metal cores encapsulated in the protein shell are well formed and its corresponding EDXA spectra also confirm the presence of metal ions in the mineral cores. Therefore, the present study proves that ferritin can be used to synthesize inorganic nanophase particles of Al and $UO_2$.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.644-649
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• 1995

The sinterability and the microstructure of Al doped UO$_2$-6wt%Gd$_2$O$_3$pellets, which were doped using Al(OH)$_3$, ADS(aluminium distearate), Al(OH)$_3$+ ADS mixture and sintered at 1$700^{\circ}C$ for 4h in H$_2$, atmospheres, were examined. The sintered densities of Al doped UO$_2$-6wt%Gd$_2$O$_3$pellets were more than 94% T.D.. The open porosity in ADS doped pellets was dramatically decreased. And the amounts of pores less than l${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ and larger than 10${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ were decreased regardless of the kinds of doped Al compounds. And the average pore size of Al doped UO$_2$-6wt%Gd$_2$O$_3$pellets was ranged between 2 and 3${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. While grain structure of non-doped UO$_2$-6wt%Gd$_2$O$_3$pellets was revealed to be duplex type (rocks in sands), that of Al doped pellets to be uniformly equiaxid type. Especially, the grain size in ADS doped pellets was averaged to 4.6${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$.