Application of Microwave Radiation to Produce Uranium Dioxide Powder from Its Trioxide

The possibility of producing UO2 powder from UO3 using microwave radiation (power 300 W) in the presence of organic compounds with amino groups: carbohydrazide (CH), acetohydroxamic (AHA), and aminoacetic (glycine) acids has been investigated. It was found that in these processes in an oxygen-free atmosphere, UO2 is produced from UO3, and in an air, U3O8. It was shown that under the action of microwave radiation in the presence of CH and AHA, powdered UO2 are synthesized from UO3. The physical properties of the powders obtained (bulk density with tapping 2.6–2.7 g/cm3, specific surface area up to 3.2 m2/g, moisture content less than 0.1 wt %) meet the requirements for ceramic-quality powders in the production of fuel pellets.