PC based automated sol-gel pilot plant

Sol-gel process offers an easy wet chemical route for preparation of fuel elements in the form of microspheres of desired size. The system is designed for preparation of dry gel particles of uranium oxide and uranium-plutonium oxide. Processes involved are pre mixing, feed dispersion, gel formation, washing and drying of gel particles. The sol-gel assembly with a production capacity of ∼3 kg/day is housed in an eight module glove box. To execute different process sequences a PC based system has been developed. PC is the main system controller. Control of process involves control of liquid flow, solenoid valves, pneumatic valves, pumps, level control sequence, time based sequence, conductivity based sequence etc. Peripheral instruments associated with PC are level controllers, pressure indicator unit, power oscillator, conductivity meter, silicon oil heating unit and belt drying unit. (author). 4 refs., 1 fig