Yellowcake Research Paper
Natural yellowcake in uranium has less then 1% uranium-235 but nuclear power plants needs fuel that has four percent uranium-235. Uranium firsts needs to be treated to be enriched in order to increase the percentage of uranium-235. However, before uranium can be enriched, a chemical is added to the yellowcake to convert it into uranium hexafluoride (UF6). When placed in room temperature UF6 turns into a crystal. The crystal is then heated to turn into a gas. It is enriched by gaseous diffusion or gas centrifuge to increase the concentration of u-235 and get rid of u-238.
Gaseous diffusions pumps UF6 gas through filters (see photo on the left). The slightly heavier mass U-238 doesn’t pass through the membrane as easily as U-235, this is how
Gaseous diffusions pumps UF6 gas through filters (see photo on the left). The slightly heavier mass U-238 doesn’t pass through the membrane as easily as U-235, this is how