Uranium is a naturally occurring metallic element that has been used as a source of nuclear fuel for decades. It is a heavy, silvery-white metal found in rocks, soil, and water in small concentrations. Although it is found in small quantities, uranium is a highly valuable material because of its unique nuclear properties.
In this blog, we will explore what uranium is and why it is used as nuclear fuel.
What Is Uranium?
Uranium is a naturally occurring metallic element that has an atomic number of 92. It is a heavy metal denser than lead and highly reactive with oxygen and other elements.
Uranium is a radioactive element, which means that its nucleus is unstable and emits radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.
The most common form of uranium found in nature is uranium-238, which makes up about 99.3% of all naturally occurring uranium. Uranium-235, which makes up about 0.7% of naturally occurring uranium, is the isotope used in nuclear reactors as fuel.
Physical Properties of Uranium
Uranium is a ductile metal that can be easily shaped or drawn into wires. It is also a malleable metal, which means that it can be easily hammered or pressed into thin sheets without breaking. However, uranium is a brittle metal at room temperature and can easily fracture when subjected to stress.
In its natural state, uranium is not a highly reactive metal and does not readily corrode or oxidize. However, it can react with strong acids and alkalis to form soluble salts.
Isotopic Properties of Uranium
Uranium has three naturally occurring isotopes: uranium-238, uranium-235, and uranium-234. Uranium-238 is the most abundant isotope and makes up about 99.3% of natural uranium. Uranium-235 is the isotope used as nuclear fuel in nuclear reactors, and makes up about 0.7% of natural uranium. Uranium-234 is a decay product of uranium-238 and is present in trace amounts in natural uranium.
Why Is Uranium Used as Nuclear Fuel?
Uranium is used as a nuclear fuel because it is a highly efficient source of energy. When a neutron hits uranium-235 atoms, they split into two smaller atoms and release a large amount of energy in the form of heat. This process is known as nuclear fission. The heat released during nuclear fission is used to generate steam, which is used to power turbines that generate electricity.
Uranium is an attractive source of energy because it is highly concentrated. One pound of uranium contains about as much energy as 1500 pounds of coal. This means that it requires much less fuel to generate the same amount of electricity as a coal-fired power plant.
In addition to being highly efficient, nuclear energy is also a low-carbon source of energy. Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear energy does not produce greenhouse gasses contributing to climate change. This makes nuclear energy an important component of a clean energy portfolio.
Key Takeaways
Uranium is used as nuclear fuel because of its highly efficient energy production and low-carbon emissions. Although uranium production can have significant environmental impacts, these impacts can be mitigated through the use of best practices and advanced technologies. As the world transitions to a low-carbon energy future, nuclear energy and uranium production will continue to play an important role in meeting our energy needs.
For more information on enCore Energy Corp. please visit www.encoreuranium.com