[en] A critically safe container is disclosed for the storage and rapid discharge of enriched nuclear fuel material in powder form is disclosed. The container has a hollow, slab-shaped container body that has one critically safe dimension. A powder inlet is provided on one side wall of the body adjacent to a corner thereof and a powder discharge port is provided at another corner of the body approximately diagonal the powder inlet. Gas plenum for moving the powder during discharge are located along the side walls of the container adjacent the discharge port

[en] A method is described of producing durable coherent compacts of particulate ceramic nuclear fuel which imparts lasting plasticity to the particulate ceramic material. The method consists of: providing an aqueous solution of a diamine and adding a source of oxalate ions to the diamine aqueous solution whereby the high pH of the solution due to hydrolysis of the diamine dissolves the source of oxalate ions, then adding the aqueous solution of diamine and dissolved oxalate ions to particulate nuclear fuel material comprising uranium dioxide, and blending the solution containing diamine and oxalate ions therethrough to produce a fugitive binder for the fuel material; and pressing the resultant blend comprising particulate fuel material and diamine with oxalate ions into a coherent compact

[en] A process is claimed for imparting increased strength and physical durability in green bodies or pellets formed of particulate oxides of uranium, plutonium and the like in the production of pelletized fissionable nuclear fuel. The green or unfired pellets comprise a fugitive binder dispersed through the particulate oxide fuel material

[en] Fluidized powder is discharged from a fluidizing vessel into a container. Accurate metering is achieved by opening and closing the valve to discharge the powder in a series of short-duration periods until a predetermined weight is measured by a load cell. The duration of the discharge period may be increased in inverse proportion to the amount of powder in the vessel. Preferably the container is weighed between the discharge periods to prevent fluctuations resulting from dynamic effects. The gas discharged into the container causes the pressures in the vessel and container to equalize thereby decreasing the rate of discharge and increasing the accuracy of metering as the weight reaches the predetermined value. (author)

[en] Process for preparing a mixture comprising powdered uranium dioxide, a fugitive binder and a porogenous agent for producing defect free pellets with improved mechanical strength

[en] Increased strength and physical durability in green bodies or pellets formed of particulate nuclear fuel oxides is achieved by inclusion of a fugitive binder which is ammonium bicarbonate, bicarbonate carbomate, carbomate, sesquicarbonate or mixtures thereof. Ammonium oxadate may be included as pore former. (author)

[en] A method is described of producing fissionable nuclear fuel pellets containing uranium dioxide, consisting essentially of the steps of: (a) admixing particulate uranium dioxide nuclear fuel with a fugitive binder comprising a combination of about 1 part by weight of high molecular weight acrylic acid polymer having an average molecular weight of at least about 400,000 and about 4 to about 8 parts by weight of ammonium bicarbonate; (b) forming the resultant admixture by pressing into a coherent compact; and (c) sintering the resultant admixture of the particulate uranium dioxide with acrylic acid polymer and ammonium bicarbonate fugitive binder formed into a compact to expel binder material and integrate the particulate uranium dioxide nuclear fuel into a uniform body

[en] This invention provides a method of preparing an admixture comprising a particulate material and a fugitive binder for producing green pellets free of flaws and having improved strength, comprising the steps of: a) fluidizing and agitating a mass of particulate material with a fluidized bed system; b) adding a fugitive binder to the fluidizing and agitating mass of particulate material and blending the binder with the particulate material, said fugitive binder being comprised of ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, and mixtures thereof; c) aging the blended binder and particulate material for a period of greater than 48 hours; and d) forming the resulting aged blend by pressing into a green body

[en] This patent describes a uranyl oxalate composition providing improved lasting plastic bonding properties for particulate ceramic nuclear fuel containing uranium oxide, comprising the carbonate-free and carbamate-free product of admixing oxalate ions and an aqueous solution of ethylenediamine, then combining the admixture with uranium dioxide

[en] Injection and uniform dispersion of a second cohesive powdered ingredient or ingredients having hydrophobic, hydrophilic or hydroscopic properties into a fluidized bed of UO₂ powder is effected by impinging the second ingredient against a deflection plate 21 mounted within the fluidized bed. The apparatus also includes an eductor, a pressurised vortex mill 11 and a pneumatic conveying system. Before entering the fluidized bed, the second ingredient is entrained in a gas and conveyed under pressure to the vortex mill 11 where the particles of the second ingredient are propelled radially outwardly through channels 28 and collide against tungsten carbide impact, blocks 32 causing comminution of the particles. (author)