Effect of Loading Pattern on High Temperature Sintering of UO2 Pellets

Abstract

For high temperature sintering of UO₂ pellets different methods of arrangement of cold-compacted pellets are followed all over the world. The paper discusses the different loading patterns of pellets in molybdenum charge carrier. Experiments were conducted by charging green UO₂ pellets horizontally, vertically and randomly in the charge carriers, after sintering the same under identical conditions of temperature and pressure in a pusher type continuous sintering furnace, the sintered density and the defects observed in UO₂ pellets were studied.