Preparation of nitride fuel pellet with TiN inert matrix for transmutation of minor actinides

Takano, Masahide 

The fabrication technique for the inhomogeneous nitride fuel pellet was examined and demonstrated in laboratory scale. In this fuel concept, the transuranium nitride particles are dispersed in TiN inert matrix. For the optimization of basic technique, the parametric examinations were carried out using DyN as a surrogate material. The sintered DyN pellets were crushed into particles and classified to groups with different size ranges up to 250 m. These particles were mixed with the ball-milled TiN powder at the DyN contents of 10 to 35 mol%. The matrix density of the pellets sintered at 1923 K was determined as functions of DyN content and particle size. The matrix density decreased linearly with increasing DyN content, namely 90%TD at 10 mol% DyN to 80%TD at 35 mol%. The edged shape of particles seems to have blocked the matrix densification. Demonstration in a small quantity was carried out using PuN and (Pu,Am)N particles.