THE NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE THE NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE

THE NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE

THE NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE The Nuclear Fuel Cycle consists of sequence of steps in which U ore is mined, milled, enriched, and fabricated into nuclear fuel and then irradiated in a reactor for several years. The fuel cycle lifetime from mining to discharge is about 8 years. NEI Video on U Mining

The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Fuel fabrication 220 tons depleted UF 6 25 tons UO 2 fuel Reactor 32 tons enriched UF 6 1000 MW reactor for 1 year (~7 billion k. Wh) Enrichment and isotope separation 200 tons uranium oxide Concentrate 45 - 50, 000 tons uranium ore Convert to UF 6 25 tons natural UF 6 25 tons spent fuel Reprocessing Plant Interim storage (cooling pond) 25 tons spent fuel 750 kg high-level waste Final disposal

Fuel Cycle Economics Transaction – – – Ore Conversion Enrichment Fabrication Disposal Misc Total Cost: mills/kwhr(e) 1. 00 0. 15 1. 10 1. 60 1. 00 0. 25 5. 10

Long Lived Radioactive Isotopes in Discharged Nuclear Fuel • Fission Products • Over 60 isotopes • 7 isotopes have significant gamma decay during first 20 years that can be useful to identify the source: Zr 95, Nb 95, Ru 103, Cs 134, Cs 137, Ce 141, Ce 144 • Actinides • Over 20 isotopes • The gamma rays generated by Actinides have lower energy

Inventory of Nuclear Fuel United States n 103 nuclear power plants n 22% of electrical power World n 438 nuclear power plants (33 under construction) n 17% of electrical power n 30 countries use nuclear power n 16 countries produce more than 25% of electrical power using nuclear energy

US Nuclear Power Plants

WIPP One of New Mexico’s major contributions to the nuclear industry in recent years has been the opening and operation of Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).

Transuranic Waste Repository at Carlsbad, New Mexico

Uranium Enrichment Recently, a uranium enrichment facility was opened near Eunice, New Mexico. This facility, established by Louisiana Energy Systems, brought many jobs and a new economic boon to that area. The Eunice Enrichment Facility is considered to be the “first of its kind in North America. ”

URENCO is a nuclear business that has the main purpose of enriching uranium to provide nuclear fuel for commercial nuclear power plants. URENCO and LES have the goal of creating a sustainable and carbonfree energy future.

Debra N. Thrall, Ph. D Executive Director Wk - 505 -883 -3114 dthrall@unm. edu