Nuclear fuels

Nuclear fuels are materials that can undergo nuclear fission or fusion to release energy. The most commonly used nuclear fuels in nuclear reactors are isotopes of uranium and plutonium. Here are some key points regarding nuclear fuels: 1. **Uranium**: The most widely used nuclear fuel is uranium, particularly the isotopes uranium-235 (U-235) and uranium-238 (U-238). Natural uranium contains about 0.

Nuclear fuel companies are organizations involved in the production, processing, and supply of nuclear fuel, which is primarily used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity. These companies typically engage in various activities across the nuclear fuel cycle, including: 1. **Uranium Mining**: Many nuclear fuel companies are involved in the extraction of uranium, the primary fuel used in most nuclear reactors.

Nuclear fusion fuels are materials used in the process of nuclear fusion, where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a significant amount of energy in the process. The most commonly researched fuels for nuclear fusion include: 1. **Deuterium (D)**: This is an isotope of hydrogen that contains one proton and one neutron in its nucleus. Deuterium is abundant in seawater, making it a widely accessible fuel source.

Radioisotope fuels are materials that contain radioactive isotopes that can be used as a source of energy. These isotopes release energy through radioactive decay, which can be harnessed for various applications, including generating electricity, powering spacecraft, and providing heat in certain scientific and industrial contexts.

Advanced reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel refers to the advanced methods and technologies employed to recycle and recover valuable materials from used nuclear fuel, which has been irradiated in a nuclear reactor. This process is increasingly important in the context of managing radioactive waste and improving the sustainability of nuclear energy.

MOX fuel, or Mixed Oxide fuel, is a type of nuclear fuel that contains a mixture of plutonium oxide (PuO2) and uranium oxide (UO2). The primary purpose of MOX fuel is to recycle plutonium that is produced in nuclear reactors or derived from decommissioned nuclear weapons. By incorporating plutonium into the fuel mix, MOX fuel allows for better utilization of nuclear materials and contributes to reducing the overall amount of nuclear waste.

Natural uranium is uranium that occurs in nature and is typically found in ore. It consists mainly of three isotopes: uranium-238 (about 99.3%), uranium-235 (about 0.7%), and a trace amount of uranium-234. The most significant isotope for nuclear applications is uranium-235, which is fissile and can sustain a nuclear chain reaction, making it valuable for nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons.

A nuclear fuel bank is a facility or system created to provide a secure and dependable source of nuclear fuel to countries that may wish to develop nuclear energy but lack the necessary infrastructure to produce their own nuclear fuel. The concept is part of broader non-proliferation efforts aimed at ensuring that nations have access to nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes—such as electricity generation—while preventing the spread of nuclear weapons capabilities.

Separative Work Units (SWUs) are a measure used in the field of nuclear engineering and enrichment of uranium. They quantify the effort required to separate isotopes in a mixture of uranium isotopes, particularly when enriching uranium for use in nuclear reactors or weapons. In the context of uranium enrichment, the most common isotopes are U-238 and U-235. Natural uranium is primarily composed of U-238, with only about 0.7% being U-235.

Spent nuclear fuel, also known as used nuclear fuel, is the material that remains after nuclear fuel has been irradiated in a nuclear reactor. When nuclear fuel—typically composed of enriched uranium or plutonium—is placed in a reactor, it undergoes fission, a process in which the nuclei of atoms split to release energy.

Thorium is a radioactive chemical element with the symbol Th and atomic number 90. It is a silvery-white metal that is moderately hard and malleable. Thorium is found in nature mainly in the mineral monazite, and it is considered to be a potential alternative to uranium as a nuclear fuel for nuclear reactors.

Uranium is a heavy, radioactive metallic element with the chemical symbol U and atomic number 92. It is part of the actinide series in the periodic table and is primarily known for its use as a fuel in nuclear reactors and in the production of nuclear weapons. Uranium is found in various minerals in the Earth's crust, most commonly in uranium oxide minerals such as uraninite.