General Electric Company

Michael R Chilton

Richard I Larson

William R Becker

Thomas J Flaherty, Iii

A process for reclaiming scrap UO.sub.2 materials yields a high-sinter-density pellet. The scrap is oxidized in a high-temperature furnace to produce U.sub.3 O.sub.8. The U.sub.3 O.sub.8 particles from the oxidation furnace are reacted with nitric acid to produce a solution of uranyl nitrate that meets the concentration and free acid requirements of the ADU precipitation process. A controlled two-stage ADU precipitation process is carried out to produce ADU particles with a size and morphology that leads to high-surface-area UO.sub.2 powder with excellent sintered pellet ceramic characteristics. After calcination and hydrogen reduction to UO.sub.2, the high-surface-area UO.sub.2 powder is passivated.

Process to reclaim UO.sub.2 scrap powder

The present invention relates to a process of decontaminating zirconium-based alloy claddings tubes used in nuclear reactor fuel rods. The process involved the use of a permanganate in a dilute acid solution. The process renders the alloy suitable for uncontrolled release into a non-radioactive environment.

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Wilimington, NC, United States of America

Michael R Chilton