NUCLEAR FUEL MANUFACTURING METHOD Russian patent published in 2018 - IPC G21C3/58 G21C3/64 

FIELD: physics, nuclear physics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the production of nuclear fuel with an ultrafine-dispersed structure based on uranium dioxide for fuel elements (fuel rods) of nuclear reactors. After preparing the uranium dioxide powders, silicon dioxide and lanthanide oxide, a charge is prepared from the starting powders of uranium dioxide and silica or uranium dioxide, lanthanide oxide and silicon dioxide in ratios corresponding to compositions near the boundary of the liquid-phase separation area on the silicon dioxide side. Charge is melted in an inert or reducing atmosphere at a temperature ensuring the single-phase nature of the melt formed. Melt is cooled in quenching mode with the formation of a uniform ultrafine-dispersed glass-ceramic structure with a crystallite size of 100±30 nm. From the resulting ultrafine-dispersed glass-ceramic structure, an amorphous matrix is leached, the leachate is mixed with a metal powder, and the obtained mixture is subjected to compression and temperature treatment with melting of the metal part.

EFFECT: invention makes it possible to obtain nuclear fuel with improved strength characteristics, with increased resistance to swelling, with increased ability to localize gaseous fission products.

24 cl, 5 dwg, 3 ex