Patent Number: 044302762
Section: abstract

A method is disclosed for producing a dimensionally stable UO.sub.2 fuel pellet of large grain mole %, and relatively large pore size. A dopant containing an element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, calcium, magnesium, titanium, zirconium, vanadium, niobium, and mixtures thereof is added to a highly sinterable UO.sub.2 powder, which is a UO.sub.2 powder that is sinterable to at least 97% theoretical density at 1600.degree. C. in one hour, and the UO.sub.2 powder can then be formed into fuel pellets. Alternatively, the dopant can be added at a step in the process of producing ammonium diuranate. The ammonium diuranate is collected with about 0.05 to about 1.7 mole%, based on UO.sub.2, of a compound containing said element. That mixture is then calcined to produce UO.sub.2 and the UO.sub.2 is formed into a fuel pellet. The addition of the dopant can also be made at the hydrolysis stage in the manufacture of UO.sub.2 by a dry conversion process.