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Actinide Co-Conversion by Internal Gelation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

Anne-Charlotte Robisson
Affiliation:
anne-charlotte.robisson@cea.fr, CEA Marcoule, DRCP, CEA Valrho, DEN/DRCP/SCPS/LCA, BP 17171, Bagnols-sur-cèze, 30207, France, 00 33 4 66 79 16 16, 00 33 4 66 79 65 67
Jacques Dauby
Affiliation:
jacques.dauby@cea.fr, CEA Marcoule, Nuclear Energy Division, DRCP/SCPS/LCA, BP 17171, Bagnols-sur-Cèze, 30207, France
Corinne Dumont-Shintu
Affiliation:
corinne.dumont@cea.fr, CEA Marcoule, Nuclear Energy Division, DRCP/SCPS/LCA, BP 17171, Bagnols-sur-Cèze, 30207, France
Estelle Machon
Affiliation:
estelle.machon@cea.fr, CEA Marcoule, Nuclear Energy Division, DRCP/SCPS/LCA, BP 17171, Bagnols-sur-Cèze, 30207, France
Stéphane Grandjean
Affiliation:
stephane.grandjean@cea.fr, CEA Marcoule, Nuclear Energy Division, DRCP/SCPS/LCA, BP 17171, Bagnols-sur-Cèze, 30207, France
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Abstract

Suitable microstructures and homogenous microspheres of actinide compounds are of interest for future nuclear fuel or transmutation target concepts to prevent the generation and dispersal of actinide powder. Sol-gel routes are being investigated as one of the possible solutions for producing these compounds. Preliminary work is described involving internal gelation to synthesize mixed compounds including minor actinides, particularly mixed actinide or mixed actinide-inert element compounds. A parameter study is discussed to highlight the importance of the initial broth composition for obtaining gel microspheres without major defects (cracks, craters, etc). In particular, conditions are defined to produce gel beads from Zr(IV)/Y(III)/Ce(III) or Zr(IV)/An(III) systems. After gelation, the heat treatment of these microspheres is described for the purpose of better understanding the formation of cracks after calcination and verifying the effective synthesis of an oxide solid-solution.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2007

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