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Nuclear Fuel Production Fissile Nuclei Uranium and Plutonium

Nuclear Fuel Production Fissile Nuclei Uranium and Plutonium 235 U 239 Pu Uranium Two isotopes 99.3% 238 U not useful for energy production 0.7% 235 U useful for energy production For a nuclear reactor: Need 4% 235 U For a fission bomb: Need 90% 235 U

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Nuclear Fuel Production Fissile Nuclei Uranium and Plutonium

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  1. Nuclear Fuel ProductionFissile NucleiUranium and Plutonium 235U 239Pu

  2. Uranium Two isotopes 99.3% 238U not useful for energy production 0.7% 235U useful for energy production For a nuclear reactor: Need 4% 235U For a fission bomb: Need 90% 235U

  3. Reacting the Fuel: Fission Reactions

  4. Chain Reactions

  5. Controlling the Reactions: Control Rods

  6. Producing Uranium Fuel U ore contains small amounts of UO2 and UO3. Step 1. Oxidize UO2 to UO3 Step 2. Solubilize U by reacting with H2SO4 UO3(s) + 2 H+(aq)  UO22+(solid salt) + H2O(l) UO22+(solid salt) + 3 SO42-(aq)  UO2(SO4)34-(aq) Key: Uranium is solubilized and is leached out of the rock.

  7. Step 3. More Reactions, eventually to yield UO3. 2R3N + H2SO4(R3NH)2SO4 2 (R3NH)2SO4 + UO2(SO4)34-(R3NH)4UO2(SO4)3 (aq) + 2SO42- (aq) (R3NH)4UO2(SO4)3 + 2(NH4)2SO44R3N + (NH4)4UO2(SO4)3 + 2H2SO4 2NH3+ 2UO2(SO4)34- (aq) (NH4)2U2O7 (s) + 4SO42- (aq) (NH4)2U2O7 (s)  U3O8(s) + H2O(l) + NH3(g) U3O8is then reacted to make pure UO3. Key: UO3 formed is pure.

  8. Step 4. Formation of UF6 UO3(s) + H2(g) ====> UO2(s) + H2O UO2(s) + 4HF(g) ====> UF4(s) + 2H2O(l) UF4(s) + F2(g) ====> UF6(l or g) Key: UF6 has a boiling point near 50 oC.

  9. Step 5. Fuel-Level Enrichment: 4%

  10. Efficiencies: diffusion = 1.002/stage Final Fraction = 0.7 x (1.002)#cycles gas centrifuge: 1.2/stage Final Fraction = 0.7 x (1.2)#cycles

  11. Plutonium Fuel: Made inside Uranium Nuclear Reactors Fast neutron reactors (Also called fast breeder reactors)

  12. 235U

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