Method for the preparation of concentrated anion-deficient salt solutions

Abstract

Concentrated anion-deficient salt solutions are prepared of the actinide oxides, PuO 2 , UO 2 , UO 3 and U 3 O 8 by dissolving one or more oxides in an aqueous solution of thorium nitrate at a concentration of 4 molar or greater and at a temperature of 60° C. or more. Anion-deficient salt solutions of actinide metals so produced are useful as starting materials for the manufacture of ceramic nuclear fuel particles by the sol-gel process.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for preparing a concentrated anion-deficient actinide salt solution containing at least one actinide oxide selected from the group consisting of PuO 2 , UO 2 , UO 3  and U 3  O 8 , said method including dissolving at a temperature of at least 60° C., said .[.salt.]. .Iadd.oxide .Iaddend.in an aqueous solution of thorium nitrate having a concentration of at least 4 molar. 
     
     
       2. A method for the preparation of a concentrated anion-deficient actinide nitrate solution wherein at least one member selected from the group consisting of uranium dioxide, uranium trioxide and U 3  O 8 , is dissolved by stirring in a heated thorium nitrate solution of a temperature of at least 60° C., and of a concentration of at least 4 molar, and the solution thus obtained is thereafter diluted with water.