Definition

Noun: 1. Material for nuclear fission: A substance, typically containing fissile isotopes like uranium-235 or plutonium-239, that can sustain a controlled nuclear chain reaction within a nuclear reactor to produce heat, which is then used to generate electricity. 2. Reactor energy source: The specific fuel assemblies loaded into a nuclear reactor core that serve as the primary source of thermal energy through the process of nuclear fission.

Usage

• Nuclear fuel is fabricated into ceramic pellets, which are sealed inside metal tubes to form fuel rods.
• The spent nuclear fuel is carefully stored after it is removed from the reactor.
• A primary concern in nuclear power generation is the safe handling and disposal of used nuclear fuel.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The power plant requires a fresh shipment of nuclear fuel for its reactor.
  • Uranium enrichment is a process to increase the concentration of the isotope needed for nuclear fuel.
  • The long-term management of nuclear fuel waste is a significant technical challenge.

Advanced Usage

• "Nuclear fuel cycle": This term refers to the entire series of industrial processes which involve the production of electricity from uranium, including mining, milling, enrichment, fuel fabrication, use in the reactor, reprocessing (in some cases), and waste management.
  • The country is developing a closed nuclear fuel cycle to recycle plutonium.

Variants and Related Words

• Fissile material (n): A broader term for any material capable of sustaining a fission chain reaction. Not all fissile material is currently used as commercial nuclear fuel (e.g., some is used in nuclear weapons).
• Fuel rod/ Fuel assembly (n): The physical form in which nuclear fuel is loaded into a reactor. Multiple fuel rods are bundled together to create a fuel assembly.
• Spent fuel (n): Nuclear fuel that has been irradiated in a nuclear reactor and is no longer efficient for sustaining a chain reaction. It is highly radioactive and contains fission products.

Synonyms

• Reactor fuel: A direct synonym emphasizing its use in a reactor.
• Fissionable fuel: Highlights the property of undergoing fission.

Related Phrases

• To load nuclear fuel: The process of placing fresh fuel assemblies into a reactor core.
• To discharge/remove spent nuclear fuel: The process of taking used fuel out of the reactor core.

Noun

1. fuel (such as uranium) that can be used in nuclear reactors as a source of electricity