Production of Synroc Ceramics from Titanate Gel Microspheres

Synroc is a multi-component titanate ceramic, designed to immobilise High Level Waste (HLW) from nuclear fuel reprocessing plants [1]. Synroc precursor powders have been previously produced by various methods, such as oxide and alkoxide-hydrolysis routes [2]. However, various technological aspects of HLW processing make the use of free-flowing, dustfree, highly sinterable precursor powders desirable. Such powders have been produced by spray-drying colloidal precursors, yielding microspherical particles with controlled porosity.