Figure 1- The typical nuclear fuel cycle for thermal uranium reactors.
The nuclear fuel cycle describes everything that happens from untapped fuel being mined to the fully spent resources finding final disposal. The stages prior to burning the fuel in the reactor are collectively described as the front end of the fuel cycle. After mining, the raw yellow cake is converted to uranium hexafluoride or 'hex'. If enrichment is necessary, as in the case of light water reactors, the hex is enriched to the required level. From this, the uranium is fabricated into form of fuel appropriate for the reactor, be it metal or ceramic. The fuel is then ready to be burnt in the reactor.
The stages that take place after burning the fuel are collectively called the back end of the fuel cycle. In most cases, the spent fuel will be stored for a few years in cooling pools to allow the more radioactive fission products to decay. Once the fuel has become more manageable, it will be handled according to the policies of the region. If a strict open cycle policy is in force, as is the case in the USA, the spent fuel will be sent directly for geological disposal. If a closed cycle is being used, it will be sent for reprocessing, where uranium, plutonium and transuranics and fission products will be separated. Uranium will be sent back to the beginning of the cycle to be used as appropriate. Plutonium and transuranics will be used in alternative fuels such as MOX. Fission products will be vitrified and sent for geological disposal.
In this chapter, the nuclear fuel cycle is discussed from front to back.
- Finding the fuel
- Is there enough fuel to go around? Is it a secure choice of fuel? This page answers questions surrounding nuclear fuel.
- Paying for it
- The cost of the nuclear fuel cycle is a particularly contentious issue for all ends of the political spectrum. This page discusses the economic competitiveness of nuclear power in a world of deregulated energy markets.
- Handling the waste
- The infamous nuclear waste problem is probably the most often raised issue these days. This page explains the true scale of radioactive wastes produced from nuclear power and how they can be managed.
- Decommissioning
- Even at the end of a reactor's life, opponents find something to complain about. This page discusses some of the issues surrounding the decommissioning of nuclear reactors.
- Weapons of war
- What if some people have other ideas about how to use a fissile nucleus? Opponents frequently attempt to link nuclear reactors with nuclear weapons. This page describes how they are different things.