Preparation by spray-drying of a flowable uranium dioxide powder obtained by dry process conversion of UF6

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for preparing a castable powder of uranium dioxide UO2, for use in the manufacture of MOX fuel. This process comprises the following stages: 1) to prepare an aqueous suspension of a powder of UO2 obtained by dry process from uranium hexafluoride, said suspension comprising 50 to 80% by weight of UO2 and at least one additive chosen among deflocculation agents, organic binders, hydrogen peroxide H2O2 and a powder of U3O8, in such a quantity that the viscosity of the suspension does not exceed 250 mPa.sec, and 2) to atomise this suspension and dry it in a hot gas, at a temperature of 150 to 300° C., to obtain a castable powder of UO2 with an average particle size of 20 to 100 μm.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.