Ref ming Practices in India to Produce Consistent Uranium Oxide Powder for PHWR Fuel Pellets

Abstract

Uranium Oxide Powder for fuel fabrication for Indian Pressurized heavy water rector (PHWR) is produced through Ammonium Diuranate Route. The yellow cake is dissolved in commercial grade nitric acid and resulting uranyl nitrate slurry is purified by solvent extraction. The equipment for extraction process is specially designed which eliminates energy and labour intensive steps. The pure uranyl nitrate solution is precipitated by batch precipitation process using aqueous ammonia as reactant. This is filtered. dried and calcined. The calcined oxide is reduced and stabilized to obtain reactor grade sinterable uranium oxide powder.