Nuclear facilities

Nuclear facilities refer to installations or structures that are designed for the handling, processing, or storage of nuclear materials and the generation of nuclear energy. These facilities can serve various purposes, including: 1. **Nuclear Power Plants**: Facilities that use nuclear reactions (primarily fission) to generate electricity. They typically have reactors, turbines, and generators. 2. **Nuclear Research Facilities**: Institutions focused on research and development in nuclear science, technology, and engineering.

Nuclear fuel infrastructure refers to the entire system and network involved in the production, processing, supply, and management of nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants and other applications. This infrastructure is critical for the nuclear energy industry and encompasses several key components: 1. **Mining and Milling**: The first step in the nuclear fuel cycle involves the extraction of uranium ore from the earth through mining. This ore is then processed or milled to extract uranium concentrate, often referred to as "yellowcake.

Nuclear power stations, also known as nuclear power plants, are facilities that generate electricity through nuclear reactions, typically through the process of nuclear fission. In these plants, the nuclei of heavy atoms, such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239, are split into smaller parts when they absorb a neutron, releasing a significant amount of energy in the form of heat.

Nuclear test sites are designated locations where nuclear weapons are tested to evaluate their performance, effectiveness, and safety. These sites are typically established by countries that possess nuclear capabilities and include both above-ground and underground facilities. The tests can involve the detonation of nuclear devices to gather data on their explosive yield, blast effects, and other physical phenomena associated with nuclear explosions.

Radioactive waste repositories, also known as waste disposal facilities or storage sites, are designed locations specifically constructed to securely contain and manage radioactive waste. This waste is generated from various sources, including nuclear power plants, medical facilities, research institutions, and industrial processes that use radioactive materials.

ConverDyn is a company that specializes in the conversion of uranium for use in nuclear fuel. It operates a facility in the United States that is involved in the conversion of uranium hexafluoride (UF6) into uranium dioxide (UO2), which is a key component in the manufacturing of nuclear fuel for commercial nuclear power plants. ConverDyn is a joint venture between two companies: the General Atomics and the Honeywell International.