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Rate‐Controlling Factors in the Carbothermic Preparation of UO 2 ‐UC 2 ‐C Microspheres
Author(s) -
STINTON D. P.,
TIEGS S. M.,
LACKEY W. J.,
LINDEMER T. B.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
journal of the american ceramic society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 196
eISSN - 1551-2916
pISSN - 0002-7820
DOI - 10.1111/j.1151-2916.1979.tb12740.x
Subject(s) - microprobe , microsphere , materials science , electron microprobe , reaction rate , analytical chemistry (journal) , chemistry , chemical engineering , mineralogy , metallurgy , catalysis , chromatography , biochemistry , engineering
Rate‐controlling factors in the conversion of UO 2 + C microspheres to UC 2 + C were investigated using a fluidized‐bed furnace (13 cm in diam.). Examination by X‐ray diffraction, ion microprobe, and microstructural observation revealed that the conversion of UO 2 to UC 2 began at the surface of the microsphere and progressed toward the central unreacted core. Kinetic models for solid state reactions in spheres were evaluated by using quantitative mass spectrometric data on the rate of evolution of CO during conversion. This analysis revealed that the rate of conversion was controlled by reaction at the outer surface of the microsphere. Also, decreased partial pressures of CO accelerated the rate of reaction.