Uses - doe-hdbk-1113-98_reaffirm_2005

DOE-HDBK-1113-98

Radiological Safety Training for Uranium Facilities

Module 102 The Nuclear Fuel Cycle

The resulting precipitate is dried to form "orange oxide," which is reduced

with hydrogen to form UO2 powder.

The UO2 powder is compacted into cylindrical pellets that are loaded into

thinwalled tubes made of either stainless steel or an alloy of zirconium

called "zircalloy."

Helium, an inert gas, is pumped into the tubes, which are then capped. A

cluster of these tubes separated by spacers forms a reactor fuel assembly.

Fabrication of other materials, such as weapons parts, may also include materials

made with uranium.

Uses

The primary goal of the uranium fuel cycle process is to yield enriched uranium.

This product can be used for:

power reactors,

research reactors,

nuclear weapons, and

naval propulsion reactors.

There are also a number of uses for uranium metal depleted in the 235U isotope,

such as:

radiation shielding,

armor-piercing bullets,

catalysts for chemical reactions,

armor plating, and