Preparation methods and production of initial materials to prepare gadolinium oxide pellets used in fabrication of composite uranium–gadolinium fuel

The production method of efficient composite uranium–gadolinium fuel, the application of which will make it possible to improve the technical and economic performance of nuclear power plants, is developed in a laboratory. Based on the analysis of results, the substantiation of implementing the proposed method in industrial conditions is performed. Methods for the preparation and production of the initial materials to prepare gadolinium oxide are described. Necessary characteristics of the pellets of the promising composite uranium–gadolinium fuel are established in the course of experiments, and final requirements for these pellets are formulated allowing for them.