ML21145A401
| ML21145A401 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/25/2021 |
| From: | NRC |
| To: | NRC/NMSS/DREFS |
| References | |
| Download: ML21145A401 (2) | |
Text
From:
Giacinto, Joseph Sent:
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 2:09 PM To:
AdvancedReactors-GEISDocsPEm Resource
Subject:
NRC - Uranium Enrichment Attachments:
NRC 2020 U-enrich.pdf
Uranium Enrichment l NRC.gov https://www.nrc.gov/materials/fuel-cycle-fac/ur-enrichment.html[1/26/2021 11:51:28 AM]
Home Nuclear Materials Fuel Cycle Facilities Uranium Enrichment On this page:
Uranium Isotopes
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), 0.7% uranium-235 (U
), and <
0.01% uranium-234 (U
7KHVHDUHWKHGLHUHQWXUDQLXPLVRWRSHV,VRWRSHVRIXUDQLXPFRQWDLQ protons in the atom's center or nucleus. (The number of protons in the nucleus is what makes the atoms "uranium.") The U atoms contain 146 neutrons, the U atoms contain 143 neutrons, and the U atoms contain only 142 neutrons.
The total number of protons plus neutrons gives the atomic mass of each isotope that is 238, 235, or 234, UHVSHFWLYHO\\2QDQDWRPLFOHYHOWKHVL]HDQGZHLJKWRIWKHVHLVRWRSHVDUHVOLJKWO\\GLHUHQW7KLVLPSOLHVWKDWZLWK the right equipment and under the right conditions, the isotopes can be separated.
Enriching Uranium The nuclear fuel used in a nuclear reactor needs to have a higher concentration of the U isotope than that which H[LVLQnatural uranium ore. U when concentrated (or "enriched") is ¿VVLRQDEOH in light-water reactors WKHPR common reactor design in the USA). During ¿VVLRQ, the nucleus of the atom splits apart producing both heat and H[WUDQHXWURQV8QGHUFRQWUROOHGFRQGLWLRQVWKHVHH[WUDQHXWURQVFDQFDXVHDGGLWLRQDOQHDUE\\DWRPVWR¿VVLRQDQG DQXFOHDUUHDFWLRQFDQEHVXDLQHG7KHKHDWHQHUJ\\UHOHDVHGE\\WKHFRQWUROOHGQXFOHDUUHDFWLRQZLWKLQWKHQXFOHDU reactor, can be harnessed to produce electricity. Commercially, the U isotope is enriched to 3 to 5% (from the QDWXUDODWHRI DQGLVWKHQIXUWKHUSURFHVVHGWRFUHDWHQXFOHDUIXHO
$WWKHFRQYHUVLRQSODQWXUDQLXPR[LGHLVFRQYHUWHGWRWKHFKHPLFDOIRUPRIXUDQLXPKH[DXRULGH 8) ) to be usable in an enrichment facility. UF LVXVHGIRUDFRXSOHUHDVRQV 7KHHOHPHQWXRULQHKDVRQO\\RQHQDWXUDOO\\RFFXUULQJ LVRWRSHZKLFKLVDEHQH¿WGXULQJWKHHQULFKPHQWSURFHVV HJZKLOHVHSDUDWLQJ8 from U
WKHXRULQHGRHVQRW FRQWULEXWHWRWKHZHLJKWGLHUHQFH DQG 8) H[LVDVDJDVDWDVXLWDEOHRSHUDWLQJWHPSHUDWXUH
Uranium Isotopes Enriching Uranium 238 235 234 238 235 234 235 235 235 6
6 235 238 6
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