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Fusion research tackles fuel and instrumentation challenges
Three research groups are reporting fusion-related developments, including ongoing work toward spin-polarized fusion, a new plasma diagnostic tool heading to the National Ignition Facility, and a materials science project that could impact the design of inertial confinement fusion fuel targets.
Koichi Asakura, Yoshiyuki Kato, Hirotaka Furuya
Nuclear Technology | Volume 162 | Number 3 | June 2008 | Pages 265-275
Technical Paper | Fuel Cycle and Management | doi.org/10.13182/NT08-A3955
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The characteristics and sinterability of UO2-PuO2 mixed oxide (MH-MOX) powder prepared by the microwave heating denitration method were measured and compared with those of UO2 (ADU-UO2) powder prepared by the ADU method. Furthermore, the degree of surface roughness and flowability of MH-MOX powder were evaluated and also compared with those of ADU-UO2 powder. The degree of surface roughness of ADU-UO2 powder calcined at temperatures >700°C significantly decreased, and its sintered density also dropped below 80% theoretical density. However, the degree of surface roughness and sinterability of MH-MOX powder calcined at 950°C were higher than those of ADU-UO2 powder. These results could be understood using the concept of Hüttig and Tamman temperatures, which is commonly cited for ceramic materials. The flowabilities of MH-MOX and ADU-UO2 powders decreased with an increase of compressibility, and they were categorized as non-free-flowing according to Carr's theory on powder flowability. It is, therefore, necessary for the mixed powder of MH-MOX powder, ADU-UO2 powder, and dry recycled MOX scrap powder to be granulated to provide a free-flowing feed to the pelletizing press in the MOX pellet fabrication process.
