History of UO2 Production at Port Hope

Abstract

The presentation covers the chronological history and involvement of Eldorado Resources Limited in the preparation, development, and production of ceramic grade UO₂ powder, via ADU route, used as reactor fuel for CANDU type reactors. The period covered is from 1958 to 1985, during which time production increased from 4 Mg U per year to 4 Mg U per day.

It addresses the various production and operation problems and successes experienced from the development days -- reduction of ammonium diuranate powder in the "Wild Barfield" horizontal furnace and passivation of UO₂ powder -- to the experiences of the 1980's, such as trace impurities affecting sinterability in the +98% theoretical density range. Discussions on numerous equipment development and modified off-the-shelf machineries, which have been used or are being utilized for the production of ceramic UO₂ at Eldorado, are included in the paper, (both testing & production). A brief section of the presentation addresses Eldorado experiences in handling enriched and depleted UO₂ powders. Also, UO₂ powder specification development and present day powder evaluation processes are included. Eldorado's attempt to improve powder consistency via the development of AU (ammonium uranate process) in 1975, and its resultant effects at the fuel fabricators is also covered.