METHOD OF PREPARING FUEL URANIUM PELLETS (VERSIONS) Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: uranium fuel production. SUBSTANCE: uranium is oxidized to U₃O₈,, disintegrated to average particle size 10-30 mcm, reduced into UO₂, activated, and pelleted. In a version of method, disintegrated U₃O₈, is activated and then reduced into UO₂. Uranium is oxidized with air or pure or neutral gas-diluted oxygen at a temperature not exceeding 600 C. Oxidation in presence of steam at a temperature not exceeding 800 C is also possible. Activation is carried out via fine disintegration with gas jet in fluidized bed or through oxidation-reduction to produce powder with specific surface area 1.7-3.5 mg/g. EFFECT: improved procedure. 15 cl, 2 tbl