Production of Mixed Powders of Actinide Dioxides by Thermal Reductive Denitration Using Microwave Heating

The use of microwave heating to produce solid solutions of actinide oxides in the processes of thermal denitration of model nitric acid solutions formed in reducing stripping schemes at the final stages of the PUREX process, containing U and Th (Pu simulator) and unreacted reducing agents (hydrazine, etc.), is proposed. As a result, after quantitative distilling of water vapor, acid, and volatile products into the collector, denitration reductive thermolysis of the concentrate (melt) of actinide nitrates containing 100% of a solid solution of oxides U(Th)O-2 takes place. The U-Th oxide powders obtained meet the regulatory requirements (TU 95414-2005) for ceramic powders.