GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Detailed explanation-1: -Explanation: U-235 content in enriched uranium, that is normally used in power reactors (e.g., at Tarapur atomic power plant), is about 3 percent.

Detailed explanation-2: -Today, 5% U-235 is the maximum level of enrichment for fuel used in normal power reactors.

Detailed explanation-3: -Most commercial reactor fuel uses low enriched uranium (LEU) enriched to between 3 percent and 5 percent 235U. Uranium between 3 and 5 percent 235U is sometimes referred to as “reactor-grade uranium.” Highly Enriched Uranium – contains a 235U concentration greater than 20 percent.

Detailed explanation-4: -Commercially, the U235 isotope is enriched to 3 to 5% (from the natural state of 0.7%) and is then further processed to create nuclear fuel. At the conversion plant, uranium oxide is converted to the chemical form of uranium hexafluoride (UF6) to be usable in an enrichment facility.

Detailed explanation-5: -What is it used for? Uranium “enriched” into U-235 concentrations can be used as fuel for nuclear power plants and the nuclear reactors that run naval ships and submarines. It also can be used in nuclear weapons.