Nuclear Fuel Cycle

5.

Uranium Enrichment

5.1.

Isotopic Separation Principles

5.1.1.

Isotope Properties

5.1.1.1.

Mass Differences

5.1.1.2.

Physical Behavior

5.1.2.

Separation Theory

5.1.2.1.

Separation Factor

5.1.2.2.

5.2.

Need for Enrichment

5.2.1.

Natural Uranium Composition

5.2.2.

Reactor Requirements

5.2.2.1.

Light Water Reactors

5.2.2.2.

Heavy Water Reactors

5.2.2.3.

5.2.3.

Enrichment Levels

5.3.

Enrichment Technologies

5.3.1.

Gaseous Diffusion

5.3.1.1.

Process Description

5.3.1.2.

Barrier Technology

5.3.1.3.

Energy Requirements

5.3.1.4.

Historical Applications

5.3.2.

5.3.2.1.

Centrifuge Design

5.3.2.2.

Cascade Configuration

5.3.2.3.

Modern Applications

5.3.2.4.

Efficiency Advantages

5.3.3.

Laser Isotope Separation

5.3.3.1.

Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation

5.3.3.2.

Molecular Laser Isotope Separation

5.3.3.3.

Technical Challenges

5.4.

Enrichment Products

5.4.1.

Natural Uranium

5.4.1.1.

5.4.2.

Low-Enriched Uranium

5.4.2.1.

Enrichment Levels

5.4.2.2.

Commercial Applications

5.4.3.

High-Enriched Uranium

5.4.3.1.

Special Applications

5.4.4.

Depleted Uranium

5.4.4.1.

5.4.4.2.

5.4.4.3.

Storage Requirements

5.4.4.4.

Disposal Considerations

Previous

4. Uranium Conversion

Go to top

Next

6. Fuel Fabrication