Question

What are the different steps of the fuel cycle?

Answer 1

• The nuclear fuel cycle is the series of industrial processes which involve the production of electricity from uranium in nuclear power reactors. • Uranium is a relatively common element that is found throughout the world. It is mined in anumber of countries and must be processed before it can be used as fuel for a nuclear reactor. • Fuel removed from areactor, after it has reached the end of its useful life, can be reprocessed so that most is recycled for new fuel. The various activities associated with the production of electricity from nuclear reactions are referred to collectively as the nuclear fuel cycle. The nuclear fuel cycle starts with the mining of uranium and ends with the disposal of nuclear waste. With the reprocessing of used fuel as an option for nuclear energy, the stages form a true cycle. To prepare uranium for use in a nuclear reactor, it undergoes the steps of mining and milling, conversion, enrichment and fuel fabrication. Conversion and enrichment Fuel fabrication power generation and burn - up Used fuel reprocessing Uranium and plutonium recycling Wastes Used fuel and separated wastes: final disposal Other sources of Nuclear Fuel material balance in the nuclear fuel cycle Further information .