Preparation of Uranium/Plutonium Oxide Solid Solution Powder from Ammonium Uranyl–Plutonyl Carbonate in a Laboratory Microwave Unit

Abstract

The method of fabrication of solid solution powder of uranium/plutonium (38%) oxides from the pulp of ammonium uranyl-plutonyl carbonate process (AUPuC) by microwave radiation in reducing and atmospheric environments was proposed and tested at the laboratory level. For research the pulp was prepared, obtained by co-precipitation of uranium and plutonium from nitrate solution (simulator for stripping product). The process consists of three main stages: oxidation of Pu(IV) to Pu(VI), precipitation, and conversion in a laboratory microwave unit. According to data of the X-ray diffraction analysis the powders synthesized in a reducing atmosphere and an atmospheric environment are a solid cubic solution (U_xPu_1–x)O₂ and (PuO₂, U₃O₈) mixed oxide, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis of the powder obtained in an atmospheric environment showed a fairly uniform distribution of U, Pu, and O in the solid phase.