Nov 11, 2026

2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Calendar

NUCL 4810U – Nuclear Fuel Cycles

Students study the production of fissile and fertile nuclear fuel; isotope separation; enrichment of uranium; characteristics of fuel-element materials; metal and ceramic uranium fuel; design and fabrication of fuel elements; fuelling strategies; fuel failure mechanisms and detection of failed fuel; properties of irradiated fuel; the role of plutonium; principles of spent fuel reprocessing; dissolution of spent fuel from nuclear reactors; plutonium separation; meeting safe-guards requirements; natural versus slightly enriched fuel cycles; recycling of PWR fuel in CANDU; use of plutonium from the weapons program; thermal breeders; fast breeders.
Credit hours: 3
Lecture hours: 3
Prerequisite(s): NUCL 4610U and NUCL 4780U