Preparation of uranium-plutonium oxide solid solution powder from ammonium uranyl-plutonyl carbonate in a laboratory microwave unit

The method of obtaining a solid solution powder of uranium-plutonium oxides (with 38% plutonium content) from the AUPuC pulp of the process (ammonium uranyl-plutonyl carbonate) using microwave radiation in reducing and atmospheric environments was proposed and tested at the laboratory level. For research purposes, the pulp obtained by coprecipitation of uranium and plutonium from nitrate solution (stripping product simulator) was prepared in advance. The process consists of three main stages: oxidation of Pu(IV) to Pu(VI), precipitation, and conversion in a laboratory microwave unit. According to the X-ray phase analysis, the powder obtained in a reducing atmosphere is a solid cubic solution (UxPu1–x)O2. The powder obtained in an atmospheric environment is a mixture of two oxides, PuO2 and U3O8. Scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis of the powder obtained in an atmospheric environment showed a fairly uniform distribution of U, Pu, and O in the solid phase.