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Energy & Renewables vocabulary · Hydro, Nuclear and Other Sources

Uranium

Meaning in energy & renewables, with examples

/jʊˈreɪniəm/nounCommon term

In energy & renewables, uranium means: A heavy, slightly radioactive metal used as fuel in nuclear reactors. For most reactors it is enriched so that the share of the isotope U-235 rises to about 3 to 5 percent.

In Turkish: uranyum

How it is used

Used in nuclear fuel supply, mining and policy. Uranium is mined, milled, converted, enriched and made into fuel assemblies. Prices are quoted per pound of U3O8 (yellowcake). Natural uranium contains only about 0.7 percent U-235.

Example sentences

  1. Fresh uranium fuel is loaded into the reactor every 18 months.

  2. Most uranium for power reactors is enriched to below 5 percent U-235.

Common collocations

  • enriched uranium
  • uranium fuel
  • uranium enrichment
  • uranium mining
  • nuclear powerElectricity produced from the heat released when uranium atoms are split in a reactor. It produces almost no carbon dioxide while running.
  • nuclear reactorThe part of a nuclear power plant where a controlled chain reaction splits uranium atoms and produces heat, which is used to make steam for the turbines.
  • nuclear wasteRadioactive material left over from nuclear power and other nuclear activities, especially spent fuel from reactors, which must be kept safely isolated for very long periods.
  • energy securityA country's ability to get enough energy, reliably and at affordable prices, without serious disruption from supply cuts, price shocks or technical failures.

More terms: Hydro, Nuclear and Other Sources

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