FABRICATION OF (PU0.55U0.45)C FUEL PELLETS FOR THE 2ND CORE OF THE FAST BREEDER TEST REACTOR IN INDIA

Around 200 kg of (Pu0.55U0.45) C fuel pellets of relatively low densit y (86 +/- 2% theoretical density) would be used as a driver fuel in th e second core of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor in India. The current p aper summarizes the production experience of the initial 15 kg of thes e fuel pellets following the ''vacuum carbothermic synthesis'' of tabl eted oxide-graphite powder mixture followed by ''cold-pelletization'' of carbide powder and ''sintering.'' The alterations made in the proce ss equipment, radiation shielding arrangements, and fabrication parame ters have been highlighted. The carbothermic synthesis and sintering w ere carried out in batches of 600 g and 1 kg, respectively. The percen tage recovery of sintered pellets in all the batches was >90%. The res intering tests of pellets showed only marginal change in sintered dens ity, ensuring minimum in-pile densification.