A Comparison of Processes for the Conversion of Uranyl Nitrate into Ceramic-Grade UO₂

The preferred processes for converting uranyl nitrate solutions into UO₂ for the fabrication of nuclear fuel pellets all involve the thermal decomposition of solid compounds into UO₃ without melting. Criteria for comparisons are given and used to compare eight conversion processes. Costs for the conversion processes are estimated to be 60 to 108% of the costs for the most commonly used ammonium diuranate precipitation /calcination process.