TITLE:
ThO2 and (U,Th)O2 processing—A review
AUTHORS:
Palanki Balakrishna
KEYWORDS:
Thorium Dioxide; Uranium Dioxide; Thorium Fuel Cycle; Thoria Urania Processing
JOURNAL NAME:
Natural Science,
Vol.4 No.11A,
November
28,
2012
ABSTRACT: India is one of the few countries committed to expansion of nuclear power. In view of the abundance of thorium relative to uranium, thorium cycle is under serious development and implementation. Both ThO2 and (U,Th)O2 are used. Fine powders of the same are mostly prepared through the aqueous chemical route, pressed and sintered. Extrusion and hot impact densification are also being used. Sol-gel method and other alternatives are also being pursued with the advantage of automation and remote operation. Relevant papers on the thorium cycle with emphasis on processing methods and related aspects are reviewed here.