Experience in MOX fuel fabrication at the PFPF for the fast reactor

Suzuki, Kiichi  ; Okita, Takatoshi; Aono, Shigenori

Japan Atomic Energy Agency has developed mixed plutonium-uranium oxide (MOX) fuel fabrication technologies in large-scale and fabricated MOX fuel assemblies for experimental fast reactor "JOYO" and prototype fast reactor "MONJU" at Plutonium Fuel Production Facility (PFPF) since 1988. Low density pellet is adopted as MONJU fuel. For the low density pellet fabrication in large-scale, various challenges were encountered. In order to resolve these challenges, countermeasures such as new pore former with high softening temperature and improved granulation method for MOX powder were considered. In this presentation, accumulated MOX fuel fabrication technologies as mentioned above and recent R&D activity such as new pelletizing method, or die wall lubrication pelletizing, for low-decontaminated TRU fuel fabrication will be discussed.