AIROX Dry Pyrochemical Processing of Oxide Fuels

High-Temperature Oxidation of Stainless Steel for Fuel Cladding Removal

“…The results of these scoping studies indicate that it may be possible to breach stainless steel clad fuels and access the fuel meat in a manner similar to the AIROX process. [8] The approach taken involves oxidizing the tubing to make it brittle and crack, and then the UO 2 fuel meat inside the tube oxidizes and expands to split the tubing open and expose the fuel meat.…”

“…The addition of a water mist (resulting in steam) in the heating area did not noticeably accelerate degradation of the tube, as was anticipated based on data in the literature. 8 Although different quantities of steam and longer dwell times may increase the effect of steam, the objective was for the presence of steam to significantly reduce the operating temperature for the same dwell times at the expense of a more-complicated off gas stream. Those benefits do not appear to be realized in the short dwell times being employed in the induction field.…”

“…The literature suggests another approach that would meet many of the characteristics of an ideal process. [8] In the 1960s, fuel rods were perforated at a spacing of about one inch. After the perforations were complete, the fuel tubes were heated in air.…”

Plutonium Burning in CANDU

“…The other powder processing option, and the one chosen as the most promising for further study, was named OREOX (Qxidationlreduction of fnriched .Q!ide fuel). This process is similar to the AIROX process [9], whereby the spent fuel is subjected to successive oxidation and reduction cycles, which reduce the pellets to a powder, which is then pressed and sintered into CANDU pellets. A significant fraction of the volatile and gaseous fission products are released in the process.…”