Abstract
Accidents in plutonium processing plants due to the combustion of kerogene may involve the oxidation and pulverisation of nuclear fuel pellets. Hence, some simulation experiments were performed in a glove box to study the behaviour of pellets of different composition (UO2/PuO2, i.e.MOX) and preparation conditions (sintered or green pellets with or without binding agent) as a function of temperature, time and oxidation atmosphere, especially in relation to the formation of course and respirable particles.