 |
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
| ||||||||||
|
|  DOE-HDBK-1113-98
Module 102 The Nuclear Fuel Cycle
Lesson Plan
Instructor's Notes
3.
Enrichment
Show OT-19
The enrichment process is necessary to increase the
percentage of the 235U isotope in the uranium to
make it suitable for reactor fuel. Natural uranium
contains 0.7% 235U. Typically, enriched uranium
contains 2-4% 235U. Other uses may require much
higher concentrations up to, or even greater than,
90% 235U. Depleted uranium, which is left over
after the enrichment process, has an abundance of
about 0.2% 235U.
The methods used to enrich uranium include:
a. Gaseous Diffusion
Gaseous diffusion is based on principles of gas
by large compressors. The converters contain
many tubes made of a special barrier material
that is porous. The 235UF6 molecules are lighter
than the 238UF6 molecules and bounce against
the porous barrier more frequently. The 235UF6
has a greater chance of passing through the
barrier, resulting in a slightly richer 235U
content. It may take as many as a thousand
passes to obtain the desired degree of
enrichment.
24
|
|
Privacy Statement - Press Release - Copyright Information. - Contact Us |
Click
here for thousands of PDF manuals