位置
第六单元南
Capenhurst科技园区
Capenhurst CH1 6呃
联合王国
T: +44 (0)1513 633 800
Stetternicher Staatsforst
52428 j
德国
电话.: +49 (0)2461 65 0
Planthofsweg 77
7601 PJ阿尔梅罗
P.O. 30箱
7600 AA阿尔梅罗
荷兰
电话.: +31 (0)546 54 55 00
网站du崔卡斯丁核电站的
BP 62
84502年BOLLENE cedex
法国
电话.: +33 (0)4 75 97 68 39
核燃料循环
ETC’s Gas centrifuge technology is the world’s most efficient process for enriching Uranium to the point where it can be used as nuclear fuel for producing electricity.
In its natural state, uranium two usually comprises isotopes, U-238 and the slightly lighter U-235. Natural uranium contains only around 0.7% U-235 and most nuclear reactors require a U-235 concentration of between 3% and 5%. The process of increasing the amount of U-235 is called enrichment.
核燃料循环
Please select an area of the cycle to find out more.
矿业
Uranium is mined as uranium ore, then milled, purified and concentrated. 这就产生了氧化铀3O8) commonly known in the industry as ‘yellow cake’ which is then transported to a conversion facility.
转换
Milled uranium oxide is combined with hydrogen fluoride to form uranium hexafluoride (UF6). 在室温下，UF6 is a solid, and when heated it turns into a gas without going through a liquid state. 一旦转换，UF6 is put into thick steel cylinders and moved to enrichment facilities.
浓缩
ETC’s gas centrifuge enrichment process uses a large number of rotating cylinders which are interconnected. UF6 泵入这些钢瓶, which use strong centrifugal force that draws more of the heavier gas molecules (containing the U-238) toward the wall of the cylinder, while the lighter gas molecules (containing the U-235) tend to collect closer to the centre. This enables ETC to increase the concentration of U-235 to the desired level.
燃料制造
丰富的佛罗里达大学6 is then chemically processed into uranium dioxide (UO2)粉. This powder is then pressed into pellets and loaded into tubes. The tubes are bundled together to form fuel rods and shipped to nuclear power stations.
电站
The fuel rods are delivered to nuclear power plants where they are inserted into the core of the reactor. Heat generated by nuclear fission within the core is used to heat water to produce high pressure steam. This steam drives turbines, which in turn generate electricity.
配电
The electricity produced is fed into a grid and distributed at high voltage. After the voltage is reduced, it is supplied to homes and businesses. The ever-increasing global demand for energy, coupled with the urgent need to address climate change by reducing and eliminating the use of fossil fuels, mean that nuclear energy is a key part of the mix of energy sources we need to provide a sustainable, low-emission future energy supply.
电
Electricity is essential for our society, and our demand for it keeps on growing every year. Electricity which is produced using nuclear fuel has a considerably lower carbon footprint than that used by burning fossil fuels such as coal, 石油或天然气. That’s why ETC believes that nuclear energy forms a vital part of the energy mix we need to create a sustainable low-carbon electricity supply for the future.
洞察力 & 新闻
European Commission categorises nuclear power as a sustainable energy source
Following consultations with the member states the European Commission has classified nuclear power as an environmentally sustainable energy source. The decision is part of the EU taxonomy for sustainable activities, a system that mobilises and guides future investments required to achieve climate neutrality across Europe by 2050.
阅读更多
2022: the year of sustainability at ETC
2022 has been set as ETC’s Year of Sustainability, in which the company aims to leverage its skills and expertise in high-tech, clean energy production to make a significant difference to the business’ sustainability performance. CFO Laure Claquin is leading an engaged team of colleagues, 取自所有ETC网站, that plan to deliver a series of activities and events focused on sustainability issues.
阅读更多
ETC Nederland: founder of the Triple T High Tech Academy
In the Twente region of the eastern Netherlands ETC Nederland has collaborated with other local high-tech employers to create a unique new programme to improve the skills of young trainees doing technical roles.
阅读更多