Analysis of BET specific surface area in several recycled oxide powders

The surface area data of feed oxide powders is of fundamental interest to optimize the process of nuclear fuel fabrication. The single-point Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) specific surface area of several recycled powders (synthesized from rejected scrap fuel pellets) was determined and compared with as-received and standard specified powders. Recycled UO 2 , ThO 2 , (U,Pu)O 2 powders from bulk microwave dissolution-denitration process showed acceptable specific surface area for fuel pellet fabrication. The dry oxidation–reduction process recycled UO 2 and (U,Pu)O 2 powders demonstrated lower surface area than the standard specified due to larger particle size (D50). The surface area of ThO 2 from bulk microwave dissolution-denitration (3.5–4.5 m 2 /g) was comparable to the standard and further enhanced in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) aided denitration.