Depleted Uranium
Uranium with U-235 content reduced below 0.711 wt%, mainly U-238. Produced as byproduct of enrichment; used in MOX fuel, shielding, and munitions.
Depleted uranium (DU) tails from gaseous diffusion or centrifuge enrichment contain ~99.8% U-238. Typical assays range 0.2-0.3% U-235. In nuclear fuel, DU is blended with enriched uranium or Pu for MOX. Global stocks exceed 1.5 million tonnes, mostly from US and Russia. Non-proliferation concerns limit civilian use.
Why it matters now
DU stocks could supply MOX for SMRs amid HALEU shortages in 2025-2026. Recycling DU reduces enrichment tails waste as data centers drive reactor demand.
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