The diagram illustrates the process of using uranium to produce nuclear power.
Overall, the process consists of six main stages, beginning with the extraction of uranium from the earth and ending with either the storage or reuse of spent fuel. The cycle also involves the production of electricity using enriched uranium.
In the first step, uranium is mined from underground sources. After that, the raw uranium ore is converted into solid fuel in the form of U-235 fuel pellets, which are then placed into fuel rods. These fuel rods are used in nuclear reactors to generate electricity through a process involving U-235 fuel.
After approximately four years of use, the fuel becomes less effective and is removed from the reactor. At this point, it follows one of two possible paths. It can either be reprocessed and reused in the nuclear reactor, or, if no longer usable, it is stored in containers for long-term disposal.
