DEVELOPMENT OF A BATCH PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A ZrO$sub 2$-UO$sub 2$ SOLID SOLUTION

Abstract

A batch process on the 2-kg scale was developed for the production of Zr02-UOz solid solution in the weight proportion of about 4 to 1. The product is tetragonal Zr02-UOz solid solution, with no UO, lines showing on the X-ray powder diffraction patterns. The solid solution is prepared from a precipitate of Zr(OH),-(NH4)2U207 which is filtered, dried, milled, screened to minus 325 mesh, and heated at 900°C in H2 for 4 hours. strongly on the conditions of the precipitation, with precipitation from dilute salt solution being necessary to avoid undissolved U 0 2 in the final product.