Fuel Cycle

The UK industry has a complete nuclear fuel cycle capability for all light water and gas-cooled reactor types, comprising the manufacture of power reactor fuel, including MOX (Mixed Oxide) fuel; the transport of fresh and spent fuel; the reprocessing of spent fuel; and the recycling of the recovered uranium and plutonium into fresh fuel, including MOX fuel.  Uranium enrichment is provided by Urenco using highly efficient ultra-centrifuge technology.

The UK nuclear industry offers extensive capabilities in the area of radioactive waste management, including waste segregation, categorisation, handling, encapsulation, minimisation, stabilisation, packaging, storage and disposal for all types of radioactive wastes. Most low-level waste (LLW) arising in the UK is disposed in shallow concrete vaults at the low level waste repository at Drigg.  Intermediate-level wastes (ILW) encapsulated in cement in stainless steel containers, and high-level waste (HLW), vitrified in stainless steel seal-welded containers are currently held in engineered surface stores, pending final disposal.  The Committee on Radioactive Waste Management has recommended deep geological disposal for these higher level wastes and the UK industry has acquired considerable expertise, knowledge and understanding in this area.

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