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| Enriched uranium is ] whose uranium-235 content has been increased. | '''Enriched uranium''' is ] whose uranium-235 content has been increased through the process of ]. | ||
| Natural uranium consists mostly of the U-238 ], with 0.711 percent by weight as U-235 which is the only isotope existing in nature to any appreciable extent that is ] by thermal ]s. . For use in | |||
| Natural uranium contains about 1 percent U-235. Uranium to be used in | |||
| commercial nuclear |
commercial ]s natural uranium is enriched to about 3 percent U-235. Highly enriched | ||
| uranium, which is used in nuclear submarine reactors and nuclear |
uranium (HEU), which is used in nuclear submarine reactors and ]s, | ||
| contains at least 50 percent U-235, but typically exceeds 90 percent. During the ] enriched uranium was given the codename oralloy, a shortened version of Oak Ridge alloy, after the plant where the uranium was enriched. The term oralloy is still occasionally used to refer to enriched uranium. The U-238 with extremely low U-235 content is known as ], and is considerabley less ] than even natural uranium. | |||
| contains at least 50 percent U-235. The U-238 which has been separated | |||
| from the U-235 is known as ]. | |||
| ⚫ | The ability to enrich uranium is of | ||
| There are a number of processes for enriching uranium. Uranium can be converted to ] and then sent through filters or | |||
| ⚫ | interest to those concerned about ]. | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | interest to those concerned about ]. | ||
| For information on how uranium is enriched see ] | |||
Revision as of 15:51, 25 February 2002
Enriched uranium is uranium whose uranium-235 content has been increased through the process of isotope separation. Natural uranium consists mostly of the U-238 isotope, with 0.711 percent by weight as U-235 which is the only isotope existing in nature to any appreciable extent that is fissionable by thermal neutrons. . For use in commercial nuclear reactors natural uranium is enriched to about 3 percent U-235. Highly enriched uranium (HEU), which is used in nuclear submarine reactors and nuclear weapons, contains at least 50 percent U-235, but typically exceeds 90 percent. During the Manhattan Project enriched uranium was given the codename oralloy, a shortened version of Oak Ridge alloy, after the plant where the uranium was enriched. The term oralloy is still occasionally used to refer to enriched uranium. The U-238 with extremely low U-235 content is known as depleted uranium, and is considerabley less radioactive than even natural uranium.
The ability to enrich uranium is of interest to those concerned about nuclear weapons proliferation.
For information on how uranium is enriched see isotope separation