Microstructural Properties of the Insoluble Residue in a Simulated Spent Fuel

Chemical composition of the insoluble residue in a simulated spent PWR fuel(SIMRJEL) were studied. SIMFUELS were prepared by adding calculated amount of FP(fission product) elements with a burnup of 3.6% FIMA(fission per initial metal atom) to uranium in nitrate solution, evaporating the mixed solution to dryness, calcining at 90$0^{\circ}C$ in a stream of 4% H$_2$ + 96% He, and heating the pellet at 140$0^{\circ}C$ under high and low oxygen potentials. Insoluble residue was obtained from the dissolution of the SIMFUEL with HNO$_3$(1 : 1). The chemical composition of the SIMFUELs and the insoluble residues was determined by EPMA(electron probe microanalysis), XPS(X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and by XRD (X-ray diffraction) measurements. All of the insoluble residues suspended and precipitated were composed mainly of Mo, Ru with a small amount of Zr, Rh, Pd and Cd. The amount of insoluble residue(<1 wt.%) and a Mo/Ru ratio decreased with increasing oxygen potential. Formation of the zirconium molybdate precipitate, ZrMo$_2$O$_{7}$(OH)$_2$($H_2O$)$_2$, was observed in the residues. The possible role of Mo on the phase formation was discussed in regard to oxygen potential.l.