Preparation of TRU alloys by electrochemical or lithium reduction method

Nakajima, Kunihisa  ; Iwai, Takashi; Arai, Yasuo; Kurata, Masaki* ; Nakamura, Kinya*; Arita, Yuji*

Information on phase diagram and thermodynamic data of transuranium (TRU) alloys are required for the development of metallic fuel fabrication technology and fuel design for TRU transmutation. In the present study, TRU alloys were prepared from their mixed oxides to establish these informations. A few grams of mother alloys containing TRU elements were prepared from their mixed oxides in the electrochemical reduction method. However, it was found in the electrochemical reduction of PuO that only the sample surfaces were reduced to metal. It is anticipated that the electrochemical conversion of mixed oxides with high Np and Pu contents into metals are difficult owing to production of low-melting metals. Thus, the Li reduction method was applied to the reduction of mixed oxides with high TRU contents and the alloys with high Np and Pu contents were prepared.