Scientists from the Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry (GEOKHI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences have developed a new method for producing mixed uranium-plutonium nuclear fuel using microwave radiation. RIA Novosti writes that this method makes it possible to almost completely eliminate the formation of dangerous liquid radioactive waste.
Rosatom State Corporation is actively implementing the technologies necessary for the transition to a competitive energy system based on the closed nuclear fuel cycle (CNFC) using mixed uranium-plutonium fuel. The CNFC makes it possible to solve one of the main problems of modern nuclear energy related to limited natural uranium reserves. However, according to experts, the main method of producing mixed uranium-plutonium fuel, which is based on mechanical mixing of uranium and plutonium dioxide powders, has some drawbacks.
Sergey Vinokurov, Deputy Director of Research at GEOKHI, noted that using this method can result in locally heterogeneous fuel combustion due to the difficulty of maintaining a uniform distribution of plutonium in uranium dioxide. The process also has some drawbacks, such as the separation of pure plutonium, which goes against the notion of non-proliferation of fissile materials, as well as the generation of large volumes of liquid radioactive waste during fallout washing.
In this context, GEOKHI scientists proposed an alternative method to produce mixed uranium and plutonium dioxide using microwave radiation. Known as microwave denitration, this method is based on the dielectric properties of uranium, which can intensely absorb microwave radiation and heat it to high temperatures. This process makes it possible to obtain a more homogeneous mixture of uranium and plutonium dioxide, which can then be used to produce ceramic nuclear fuel in pellet form.
The main advantage of the new method is that it does not require the use of additional reagents and helps to ensure the safety of the fuel production process. Microwave chambers can be placed behind lead armor and microwave generators and electronic control units can be placed in a clean area that will provide the necessary protection for personnel.
Previously, physicists calculated where this works best to hide from a nuclear explosion.