The production of HTR-fuel kernels by microwave hardening of aqueous metal-salt-resin droplets

The construction and function of the microwave equipment for the hardening of free falling salt-resin-droplets, the preparation of solutions, their treatment and conditioning of the hardening process, the appearance and properties of the hardened ''green'' kernels and the transformation of ''green'' kernels of HTR-fuel kernels, i.e. sintered UO2-particles are described. With a suitable microwave equipment it is possible to harden aqueous droplets containing metal-salts (e.g. uranylnitrate), resorcinol and formaldehyde. The hardening occurs while the mentioned droplets are falling under gravity. These particles are suitable for the production of HTR-fuel kernels, e.g. high density UO2-particles. The entire process has the advantage of minimising the process specific waste. (author)