MOXpolttoaineena

MOX fuel, an abbreviation for Mixed Oxide fuel, is a type of nuclear fuel that is a blend of plutonium dioxide and uranium dioxide. This combination is typically used in nuclear reactors to utilize plutonium produced from the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. MOX fuel is an alternative to the standard uranium-based fuel used in most nuclear power plants.

The primary purpose of using MOX fuel is to manage and reduce stockpiles of plutonium, which is a byproduct of nuclear fission. Reprocessing spent fuel separates usable uranium and plutonium from radioactive waste. By incorporating this recovered plutonium into MOX fuel, it can be consumed in reactors, thereby decreasing the amount of long-lived plutonium that would otherwise need to be stored for extended periods. This process is considered a form of nuclear waste management and can contribute to proliferation resistance by co-fabricating plutonium with uranium.

The fabrication of MOX fuel involves blending plutonium dioxide powder with uranium dioxide powder, followed by pressing and sintering the mixture into pellets. These pellets are then loaded into fuel rods, which are assembled into fuel assemblies for use in reactors. MOX fuel can be used in existing light-water reactors, although adjustments to reactor operating parameters and fuel management strategies may be necessary. Its use has been implemented in several countries, including France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Japan, as part of their nuclear fuel cycle policies.