METHODS OF FABRICATING METALLIC FUEL FROM SURPLUS PLUTONIUM

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of fabricating metallic fuel from surplus plutonium, which may include combining plutonium oxide powder and uranium oxide powder to obtain a mixed powder with reduced nuclear proliferation potential.SOLUTION: The mixed powder may be electroreduced in a bath of molten salt so as to convert the mixed powder to a first alloy. The first alloy may be pressed to remove a majority of the molten salt adhered to the first alloy to form a pressed alloy-salt mixture. The first alloy may be isolated from the salt by melting the pressed alloy-salt mixture. The first alloy may be further processed to fabricate a fuel rod. Accordingly, the fabricated metallic fuel may be used in a fast reactor system, such as a Power Reactor Innovative Small Module (PRISM).