üzemanyagciklus

Uzemanyagciklus, which translates to "fuel cycle" in English, refers to the series of steps involved in the production and use of fuel. This concept is most commonly applied to nuclear fuel, but can also be used in the context of other energy sources.

In nuclear power, the fuel cycle encompasses several stages. It begins with the mining and milling of uranium ore. The extracted uranium concentrate, known as yellowcake, is then converted into uranium hexafluoride, a gas. This gas undergoes enrichment to increase the concentration of the fissile isotope uranium-235. The enriched uranium is then fabricated into fuel pellets, which are assembled into fuel rods and ultimately fuel assemblies for nuclear reactors.

After use in the reactor, the spent nuclear fuel is removed. This spent fuel contains a variety of radioactive isotopes, including unburned uranium, plutonium, and fission products. It is typically stored in specialized pools or dry casks for a period of time to allow short-lived isotopes to decay. Depending on national policies and technological capabilities, spent fuel may be reprocessed to recover usable materials like plutonium and uranium, or it may be directly disposed of as high-level radioactive waste in geological repositories.

The entire process, from raw material extraction to waste management, constitutes the nuclear fuel cycle. Each stage presents distinct technical, economic, and environmental considerations, including safety protocols, security measures, and the management of radioactive materials. The goal of the fuel cycle is to efficiently and safely utilize nuclear fuel to generate electricity while minimizing risks to human health and the environment.