METHOD OF MAKING NUCLEAR FUEL TABLETS Russian patent published in 2009 - IPC G21C3/64 

FIELD: physics; nuclear technology.

SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to nuclear technology, particularly to the technology of making nuclear fuel tablets from a mixture based on uranium dioxide, particularly to preparing powders for "dry" pressing. The method of making nuclear fuel tablets involves processing initial powders using spheres, subsequent pressing and sintering. Processing initial powders is done in a cylindrical chamber. The chamber is fitted at an angle of inclination of its axis to the horizontal. This angle provides for mixing the processed powder along its longitudinal axis. The chamber is brought into plane-parallel rotation. With such rotation, the chamber is in a state of rest relative its own axis. The radius and frequency of rotation is chosen from the condition of swirling the spheres and their rolling motion on the inner surface of the chamber without separation from it.

EFFECT: increased the quality of the microstructure, homogeneity of properties in the volume and chemical purity of the fuel tablets, as well as provision for controllability of porosity and density of tablets in a wide range of values without using pore agents.

3 cl, 5 tbl