1. The Nuclear Fuel industry The nuclear fuel cycle

2. “All the waste in a year from a nuclear power plant can be stored under a desk” Ronald Reagan (1911 - ) Well, the president said it. What do you think?

3. Spent fuel Spent fuel rods have three categories of compound: Diagram from Microsoft Encarta

4. Nuclear Fuel Cycle This chart is thoroughly discussed at http://www.uic.com.au/nfc.htm

5. Main points from nuclear fuel cycle Mining and milling of uranium ore (~0.7% U-235) Chemical conversion into UF 6 (uranium hexafluoride) Isotope enrichment, using membrane that allows the smaller U-235 isotope to pass, whilst hindering the passage of U-238. Enrichment results in 3~4 % content of U-235 Conversion into uranium oxide, UO 2 and fabrication of ceramic fuel pellets. Pellets loaded into fuel rods 1,000 MW reactor uses about 200 fuel rods 30% rods replaced each year, due to depletion of U-235 and build up of plutonium and other less useful fission products Separation of components gives plutonium for direct conversion into new fuel pellets, uranium to re-enter the fuel cycle, and fission products (waste)

6. Nuclear fuel cycle (cont) Highly radioactive waste fission products are stored onsite for 1-2 years to ‘cool down’ Then vitrified (turned to a glass material) and encased in stainless steel containers Transported to long-term storage facility (could be ‘000’s of years) The length of time needed for safe storage presents a real problem in choosing a suitable site, who knows what changes may occur over a thousand years, over 2 thousand years, longer…

7. Arguments Pay attention to the arguments given for, or against this industry Learn the processes discussed in class, technical, economical, political e.g. health and safety requirements push up the cost of a potentially cheap energy source. Have ready your own views of the industry, and be prepared to support them using factual argument