Preparation and characterization of (Pu, U, Np, Am, simulated FP) O2−X

Solidus and liquidus of plutonium and uranium mixed oxide

“…The apparatus and procedures for determining the solidus and the liquidus of MOX used in this work were similar to those described previously [6][7][8][9][10][11]. Samples of about 10 g were taken from crushed pellets.…”

“…The capsule and sample were heated at a constant heating rate of about 40 K/min to 3000 K or higher with a radiofrequency heating furnace. Details of the apparatus were reported previously [11]. After the measurement, the samples were removed from the capsules and were analyzed by ceramography, X-ray diffraction (XRD; Rigaku, RINT 1100) and electron probe micro analysis (EPMA; JEOL, JAX8800).…”

“…The maximum temperature of the fuel pellets during irradiation is limited to prevent fuel melting. So, the solidus and the liquidus of the mixed oxides have been investigated ever since the development of fast reactors was started [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. However, the measured data are still limited because of difficulties in preparing MOX samples with precise oxygen-to-metal (O/M) ratios and in conducting accurate measurements at high temperature on plutonium containing samples.…”

Thermal conductivities of (U, Pu, Am)O2 solid solutions

“…The amount of moisture was controlled in order that the oxygen potential G O 2 of the atmosphere was −420 kJ/mol at 1123 K, which lies in the range of oxygen potential required to obtain stoichiometric (U 0.7 Pu 0.3 )O 2 mixed oxide [13,14]. The main impurities of 0.7%Am-MOX and 2%Am-MOX pellets are shown in Table 1.…”

Research and Development of Minor Actinide-containing Fuel and Target in a Future Integrated Closed Cycle System

“…To clarify effects of Np-addition to the MOX on various properties, a series of experiments has been carried out. [17][18][19] The Np-MOX was fabricated using standard equipment for MOX fuel fabrication with a slightly modified procedure. Previous results about the sintering behavior of Np-MOX showed that the grain growth rate of Np-MOX is about half that of MOX.…”