Effect of ammonium nitrate on precipitation of Ammonium Di-Uranate (ADU) and its characteristics

Effect of ammonium nitrate on precipitation of Ammonium Di-Uranate (ADU) from nitric acid medium via gaseous ammonia route had been investigated. Studies on effect of ammonium nitrate on precipitation time, particle size, shape, surface morphology, flowability, oxygen/uranium (O/U) ratio and tap density of calcined ADU were carried out at various ammonium nitrate concentrations. It was observed that, the presence of excess ammonium nitrate influences the precipitation time, particle size distribution and surface morphology of the ADU. ADU and uranium oxide were characterized with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Presence of ammonium nitrate during precipitation leads to the formation of bigger, porous and uniform particles as compared to the ADU prepared without ammonium nitrate additions.

Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) images of ADU prepared with gaseous ammonia, (a) in presence of excess ammonium nitrate (80 g/L) as well as (b) in absence of excess ammonium nitrate at different magnification.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide