Preparation of dense UO2 fuel kernels by external gelation process Pt. 1

A technological process is proposed for the production of dense kernels for the high-temperature reactor. A concentrated uranyl nitrate aqueous solution with urea, ammonium nitrate, poly-vinylalchohol, ethylene glycol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol as additives is dispersed into uniform droplets which are hardened by external gelation. The process is very simple and consists of only a few steps. Since organic polymer is used as sticker, the wet microspheres is very stable. Four parameters: geometrical factor, phisical factor, critical flow and vibration frequency must be controlled