The nuclear fuel used in most nuclear reactor designs needs to have a higher concentration of the uranium-235 isotope than that which exists in natural uranium ore. Enrichment facilities to date have enriched the uranium with up to 5 weight percent uranium-235 (U-235). Enrichment facilities that wish to enrich uranium with up to 20 weight percent U-235, but whose current possession limits do not allow the possession and/or use of material enriched up to 20 weight percent U-235, will need to apply for license amendments. These license amendments would likely involve modifications to criticality safety analysis, integrated safety analysis and controls (and potentially other types of controls). Modifications to controls could include physical modifications to equipment.
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Friday, July 07, 2023