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DOE-STD-1136-2004
Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiological Protection in Uranium Facilities
Table 2 -1. Typical Isotopic Abundances
Typical
Specific
Commercial
Capture
Isotope
Natural
Depleted
Activity
Feed
Cross Section
Ci/g
Enrichment
(barns)
238
U
99.28
97.01
99.80
3.3 E-7
2.7
235
U
0.72*
2.96
0.20
2.1 E-6
101
234
U
0.0055
0.03
0.0007
6.2 E-3
95
The amount of uranium present determines the grade of the ore. Most of the ores found in the
U.S. contain from 0.1 to 1% uranium and are considered medium grade. Lower-grade ores are
mined commercially if they are a byproduct of mining for another material, such as gold or
phosphate.
Uranium that has been processed to raise the concentration of 235U is referred to as enriched
uranium. The extent of enrichment depends on the intended end use of the uranium. Commercial light
water reactors are designed for use with the 235U enriched to around 3%. Higher enrichment is
required for; high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, naval nuclear propulsion reactors, most research
reactors and weapons. The 235U enrichment process also increases the concentration of 234U. The
higher activity of enriched uranium is due more to increased 234U than to increased 235U.
Depleted uranium is a by-product of the enrichment process and is depleted in both the 235U and
234
U isotopes. Depleted uranium, with its reduced activity and very high density, has many uses;
among them are radiation shielding, counterweights, projectiles, and target elements in DOE
plutonium production reactors.
In addition to the uranium isotopes discussed above, the daughter products of uranium decay and
byproducts of uranium processing can have significant radiological impacts in uranium-handling
facilities. Table 2-2 presents the properties of these radionuclides.
2- 2


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