The oxidative pulverisation of mixed oxide fuels

An investigation of the oxidation of mixed uranium-plutonium oxide (MOx) fuels containing from 5-30% plutonium (heavy metal basis) in air and oxygen atmospheres has been undertaken. MOx pellets prepared by a co-precipitation process were oxidised at temperatures from 600 to 1200degC, samples were reduced back to the MO2 state and then re-oxidised. Weight changes were monitored during each procedure and the phases present in the products from each treatment were analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Samples containing up to 10% Pu were oxidised sufficiently to cause pulverisation of the fuel matrix by a single oxidation treatment at 600degC whereas samples containing higher plutonium contents required a cycle of oxidation-reduction-oxidation cause them to become fragmented. XRD data suggests the formation of plutonium-rich and plutonium-lean grains during the reduction cycle and it is suggested that the oxidation of plutonium-lean grains during re-oxidation step is responsible for the break up of the pellets during this step. (author)