Process for the production of spherical fuel and fertile particles

摘要

Uniform spherical fuel and/or fertile particles are formed by conversion of an oscillating liquid stream of a uranium and/or thorium compound solution flowing from at least one nozzle in an amount of more than 3,000 drops per minute by allowing these drops to fall into an ammonia solution and subsequently drying and sintering the particles thus formed. Before immersion in the ammonia solution the drops are first allowed to pass through a falling zone free of ammonia, this zone is so regulated that the drops have taken on their exact spherical form and then the drops are passed through a second falling zone containing flowing ammonia gas, whereby the ammonia gas is introduced into this second falling zone through at least one inlet conduit in such manner that there is guaranteed not only an ammonia gas flow in the opposite direction to that of the falling drops but also a horizontal cross current of the ammonia gas through the space between the drops and this second falling zone is so regulated that the spherical drops are sufficiently hardened before immersion in the ammonia solution.