ABSTRACT
The nuclear fuel cycle starts with the ore being extracted from the earth and follows it through processing and use until a final waste form is placed back for permanent disposal. Both uranium and thorium exist in nature as minerals that can be mined; however, uranium will be used in this discussion because the use of thorium has not been extensively 473developed. The so-called front end of the fuel cycle includes the processes required to prepare the uranium into a form that can be used as fuel in nuclear reactors. The processes include the following:
Mining, milling, and conversion—See Chapter 10.
Enrichment—See Chapter 11.
Fuel Fabrication—See Chapter 12.
