Abstract: Actinide metal microspheres are washed with an aqueous solution of a hydrophilic surfactant having an HLB value greater than 10 and up to about 14 to remove water soluble salts therefrom and any water immiscible organic liquids adhering to the microspheres according to the process disclosed. The microspheres are prepared by dispersing an aqueous phase of the appropriate actinide metal oxide into an immiscible organic liquid in the presence of ammonia or an ammonia releasing agent under solidification conditions to form the microspheres. Uranyl nitrate and anion-deficient uranyl nitrate solutions are preferred. Improved results are obtained when the organic liquid contains a complementary lipophilic surfactant having a HLB value of no more than about 10.

Abstract: Uniform microspheres substantially or completely free from internal cavities and voids are prepared by spraying an aqueous hydrated metal oxide solution onto the surface of a water-immiscible organic liquid containing from 0.04 to 2.0 percent by volume of a surface active agent, the viscosities of each of the organic and inorganic phases plus the amount of surface active agent within the above range being selected such that there is sufficient surface active agent present to prevent the globules from adhering to each other yet an insufficient amount to prevent deformation from the substantially spherical shape.