3/1/2010

Enrichment, a key stage in the fuel chain

Infos

3/1/2010

To obtain fuel that can be used in nuclear reactors, the concentration of uranium 235 found in natural uranium must be increased; this is called enrichment. Present throughout the nuclear fuel cycle, AREVA ensures uranium enrichment in France and will soon do so in the United States as well.

Associated documents

  • Production supplying a quarter of the world's reactors

    Since 1979, EURODIF's Georges Besse plant at the Tricastin site (France), has been enriching uranium by the gaseous diffusion process, the technique the most frequently employed around the world. The enriched uranium produced here supplies over 100 nuclear reactors, representing 25% of the global reactor fleet.

  • 1400 passages through the diffusers

    Uranium enrichment by gaseous diffusion is carried out in successive stages: UF6 gas is forced by a compressor across a cascade of diffusers containing porous diffusion barriers. The gas is enriched in this way to become uranium hexafluoride 235 after 1400 passages.

  • Georges Besse II, a turning point for AREVA

    In 2004, AREVA launched the Georges Besse II project. This new uranium enrichment plant being built at the Tricastin site (France) will employ, for the first time ever in AREVA's history, the centrifugation process. The new plant is scheduled to reach full capacity in 2016.

  • Centrifugation, the most efficient process

    In employing the centrifugation process for uranium enrichment, the Georges Besse II plant will possess the most efficient enrichment technology known today. Already used in several countries, this process provides better guarantees in terms of energy savings, environmental protection and competitiveness.

  • Centrifugation, AREVA invests in the US

    To work in proximity to its American customers, AREVA is building a second centrifuge enrichment plant at Eagle Rock, Idaho. This leading-edge technology plant will produce 3 million UTS annually, and is scheduled for commissioning in 2014.

  • Enriching recycled uranium

    The REC 2 building of the Georges Besse II plant, shown here in October 2009, is primarily designed to use recycled uranium in the enrichment process, an indispensable step in the recycling of spent fuel.

Front End

Fuel Pellets for Fuel Rods

The AREVA Front End Business Group combines activities associated with the conversion and enrichment of uranium and with the design and fuel production for nuclear reactors.

Key Figures

AREVA leads Front End Fuel Cycle Operations in North America.

  • Currently supplying approximately 20 percent of the U.S. enrichment market
  • Fuel produced in Richland accounts for five percent of the electricity generated in the U.S.

Front End of Fuel Cycle Activities

AREVA is one of the world leaders in the front end of the nuclear cycle, i.e. uranium conversion and enrichment and nuclear fuel fabrication.

U.S. Fuel Production

Decades of expertise with the design and fuel production for nuclear reactors.

Enrichment in the United States

AREVA provides uranium enrichment services and is working to build an enrichment plant for the United States.

Press Releases

Global Front End Activities

AREVA Front End business group combines activities associated with the conversion and enrichment of uranium and with the design and fuel production for nuclear reactors.

diaporama
Enrichment, a key stage in the fuel chain

Enrichment, a key stage in the fuel chain

To obtain fuel that can be used in nuclear reactors, the concentration of uranium 235 found in natural uranium must be increased; this is called enrichment. Present throughout the nuclear fuel cycle, AREVA ensures uranium enrichment in France and will soon do so in the United States as well.