Distribution of changes in uranium dioxide powder in container storage

Distribution of changes in uranium dioxide powder in container storage has been done. Uranium dioxide powder was stored in drums for some period of time. The powder is put on more weight, weight gain is probably due to the contact between the powder with the air atmosphere. When the powder specification changes, the parameters used for the manufacture of pellets will be different. To ensure these conditions, conducted research on the pattern of moisture content and O/U ratio of the UO₂ powder of some depth positions in the drum. Sampling were done by random from uranium powder at a depth of 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm and 50 cm. Moisture content in the powder was analyzed by the gravimetry method, while the comparative figure determination is done by gravimetry and X-ray fluorescence to monitor the intensity of the X-ray U-Mα. The more often the powder in contact with air storage drum occurs, the content of water molecules and the O/U ratio in the corresponding powder will increase. Within about 20 years storage specification changes occurred until the powder to a depth of 30 cm from the surface of the powder in the drum. (author)