Publication
Developments in Uranium Enrichment Technologies
September 17, 2016

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Uranium enrichment is a critical component of the production of nuclear power fuel, and hence, also an essential element of fuel supply assurance for many countries. Enrichment comprises roughly one-third of the front-end fuel cycle in terms of cost, with a limited number of suppliers in the global market. Presently, commercial enrichment suppliers almost entirely use gas centrifuge technology, as centrifuges possess high separation efficiencies and use relatively little energy. Laser enrichment technologies, the focus of years and billions of dollars worth of R&D, promise to yield even greater separation factors and lower energy consumption rates if ever successfully commercialized. Nevertheless, both centrifuge and laser enrichment processes are politically sensitive due to proliferation concerns; if abused, both technologies can be utilized to produce weapons-usable material. Considering the proliferation risks of centrifuge and laser technologies, chemical enrichment has the potential to become an attractive and less politically-sensitive option for states seeking to address their fuel security issues, given its inherent proliferation resistance and high commercial ceiling.