Intro
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Contents
Editors and Contributors
1 The Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Introduction
1.1 What Is a Fuel Cycle?
1.2 Frontend and Backend of Fuel Cycle
1.2.1 Frontend of Fuel Cycle
1.2.2 Backend of Fuel Cycle
1.3 Categories of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Based on Reuse Strategies
1.3.1 Open or "Once-Through" Fuel Cycle
1.3.2 Twice-Through Fuel Cycle
1.3.3 Closed or "Recycled" Fuel Cycle
1.4 Open Versus Closed Fuel Cycle Options
1.4.1 Impact of Closed Fuel Cycle on Waste Management
1.5 Variants of Closed Fuel Cycle

1.5.1 Closed Fuel Cycle Without MA Recovery
1.5.2 Closed Fuel Cycle with MA Recovery
1.5.3 Closed Fuel Cycle with MA and Fission Product Recovery
1.6 Challenges in the Development of Closed Fuel Cycle
1.7 International Scenario on Fuel Cycle
1.8 Summary
References
2 Exploration, Mining, Milling and Processing of Uranium
2.1 Uranium Ore Exploration and Mining
2.1.1 Geology
2.1.2 Mining of Uranium
2.1.3 Development of Process Flowsheet
2.2 Uranium Ore Processing
2.2.1 Mineralogy and Comminution
2.2.2 Pre-concentration by Physical Beneficiation

2.2.3 Leaching
2.2.4 Types of Leaching Based on Operational Mode
2.2.5 Solid-Liquid Separation and Clarification
2.2.6 Separation and Purification
2.2.7 Selective Separation of Uranium: Precipitation
2.2.8 Product Separation and Drying
2.2.9 Mill Waste Treatment
2.2.10 Reclamation and Closure
2.3 Refining of Yellow Cake and Uranium Metal Production
2.3.1 Dissolution of Diuranate Cake
2.3.2 Solvent Extraction
2.3.3 Ammonium Diuranate (ADU) Precipitation
2.3.4 Calcination of ADU
2.3.5 UO3 Reduction
2.3.6 Hydrofluorination of UO2

2.3.7 Uranium Metal Production by Metallothermy
2.3.8 Waste Management in Uranium Metal Production
2.3.9 Advanced Methods
2.4 Development of Uranium Supported Advanced Fuel Materials
2.4.1 Processing and Production of Thorium
2.4.2 Process Metallurgy
2.4.3 Process Engineering
2.4.4 Waste Management
2.5 Uranium Enrichment
2.5.1 Isotope Separation
2.5.2 Separation Processes for Uranium Enrichment
2.5.3 Requirements of an Ideal Enrichment Process
2.5.4 Process Flowsheet
2.5.5 Management of Depleted Stock
References
3 Fabrication of Nuclear Fuel Elements

3.1 Introduction
3.2 Nuclear Reactors and Their Fuels
3.3 Nuclear Non-power Reactors and Power Reactors
3.3.1 Research Reactors
3.3.2 Thermal Neutron Power Reactors
3.3.3 Fast Neutron Reactors
3.4 Types of Fuels
3.4.1 Ceramic Fuels
3.4.2 Dispersion Fuel
3.4.3 Metallic Fuels
3.5 Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) Concepts
3.6 Automation in Nuclear Fuel Manufacture
3.7 Summary
References
4 Quality Control of Nuclear Fuels
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Physical Quality Control Techniques
4.2.1 Powder Characteristics
4.2.2 Physical Inspection of Fuel Pellets