Key Issues
Nuclear Fuel Production: A Four-Step Process
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November 2008
Key Facts
November 2008
Key Facts
- Nuclear power plants use uranium as fuel to produce electricity. But before its use in a nuclear reactor, a series of processing steps must convert mined uranium ore into ceramic pellets, which are loaded into fuel rods.
- Natural uranium contains two different forms, or isotopes: U-238 and U-235. U-235 is fissionable, which means its atoms can be split, releasing large amounts of energy. Natural uranium consists of more than 99 percent U-238 and less than 1 percent U-235. Before uranium can be used as a fuel, an “enrichment” process must increase its U-235 content to between 3 percent and 5 percent.
- The United States uses about 53 million pounds of uranium oxide each year to fuel its 104 nuclear power reactors. Domestic uranium production in 2007 met less than 10 percent of the nation’s requirements; imports supplied the remainder. Uranium from the dismantling of nuclear weapons has become an increasingly important supply source as well.
- Both federal and state agencies regulate uranium fuel production. Strict standards designed to protect public health and safety, as well as the environment, govern all fuel production activities.
