Method of preparing nuclear fuel pellet including thermal conductive metal and nuclear fuel pellet prepared thereby

Abstract

A method of a nuclear fuel pellet including a thermal conductive metal and a nuclear fuel pellet prepared thereby. The method includes preparing an oxide nuclear fuel granule having about 30%-45% theoretical density, mixing the fuel granule with thermal conductive metal powder, compacting the fuel granule with which the thermal conductive metal powder is mixed to prepare a green pellet, and sintering the green pellet. In the method, the sintering may be performed under a reducing gas atmosphere that is the same as the commercial pellet preparing process. Thus, compatibility compared to existing commercial preparing processes may be superior. Also, since a liquefied oxide formation process and a reducing process are omitted, the distribution uniformity of the metal material within the pellet may be superior. Therefore, the nuclear fuel pellet in which the metal network and fine microstructure are uniformly distributed within the pellet may be prepared.