Depleted uranium – uranium in which the abundance of the isotope 235U is less than that occurring in natural uranium. Reactor Physics
Definition by IAEA: Depleted uranium – uranium in which the abundance of the isotope 235U is less than that occurring in natural uranium, e.g. uranium in spent fuel from natural uranium fuelled reactors and tails from uranium enrichment processesIAEA/NVS/3
After the enrichment the enriched ‘product’ containing a higher concentration of 235U which will be used to make nuclear fuel (e.g. PWRs and BWRs require 3% – 5% of 235U), and the ‘tails’ containing a lower concentration of 235U (e.g. 0.2-.0.3 of 235U), and known as depleted uranium (DU). Depleted uranium is also produced during fuel burnup and is typically found in spent fuel elements.
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