Nuclear Fuel Cycle

  1. Fuel Fabrication
    1. UF6 to UO2 Conversion
      1. Chemical Conversion Process
        1. Hydrolysis
          1. Precipitation
            1. Calcination
            2. Quality Control
              1. Chemical Analysis
                1. Impurity Control
                2. Safety and Environmental Controls
                  1. Fluorine Management
                    1. Waste Treatment
                  2. Fuel Pellet Production
                    1. Powder Preparation
                      1. Powder Characteristics
                        1. Blending Operations
                          1. Additives
                          2. Pressing Operations
                            1. Die Pressing
                              1. Pressure Requirements
                                1. Green Pellet Formation
                                2. Sintering Process
                                  1. Furnace Operations
                                    1. Temperature Profiles
                                      1. Atmosphere Control
                                        1. Densification
                                        2. Quality Control
                                          1. Dimensional Inspection
                                            1. Density Measurement
                                              1. Chemical Analysis
                                                1. Microstructure Examination
                                              2. Fuel Rod Manufacturing
                                                1. Cladding Materials
                                                  1. Zirconium Alloys
                                                    1. Zircaloy-2
                                                      1. Zircaloy-4
                                                        1. Advanced Alloys
                                                        2. Material Properties
                                                          1. Alternative Materials
                                                          2. Tube Preparation
                                                            1. Tube Fabrication
                                                              1. End Cap Welding
                                                                1. Inspection
                                                                2. Pellet Loading
                                                                  1. Loading Procedures
                                                                    1. Spring Installation
                                                                      1. Plenum Gas Addition
                                                                      2. Rod Sealing
                                                                        1. Welding Operations
                                                                          1. Leak Testing
                                                                            1. Final Inspection
                                                                          2. Fuel Assembly Construction
                                                                            1. Assembly Design
                                                                              1. PWR Assemblies
                                                                                1. BWR Assemblies
                                                                                  1. Other Reactor Types
                                                                                  2. Structural Components
                                                                                    1. Grid Spacers
                                                                                      1. Guide Tubes
                                                                                        1. End Fittings
                                                                                        2. Assembly Operations
                                                                                          1. Rod Insertion
                                                                                            1. Grid Installation
                                                                                              1. Final Assembly
                                                                                              2. Quality Assurance
                                                                                                1. Dimensional Verification
                                                                                                  1. Mechanical Testing
                                                                                                    1. Documentation

                                                                                                Previous

                                                                                                5. Uranium Enrichment

                                                                                                Go to top

                                                                                                Next

                                                                                                7. Nuclear Fission Process