Can uranium be transported

Answer 1

Uranium is found at low concentrations in ore, which has to be treated by milling and then chemical means to obtain Uranium oxide at about 75 percent, called Yellowcake. This would normally be done close to the mining site, and the yellowcake is then packed into sealed metal drums. These can be transported by whatever means are appropriate to the country of destination, by road, rail, or sea.

Generally the Uranium will need to be enriched, that is have the proportion of U235 increased to 3-4 percent for nuclear power use, or much more for weapons use. This is done nowadays using gas centrifuges, the uranium oxide yellowcake being first converted to gaseous uranium hexafluoride. after this it is turned back into the oxide form, and eventually into small cylinders of the right size to make up the fuel rods required. This process of enrichment requires a high level of technology and is not widespread, only a few countries have the knowledge to do it at present. These UO2 cylinders are then made into fuel rods and hence fuel assemblies. These can then be transported with suitable packing to the power station site where they are to be used.

There is no particular difficulty with the transport, though precautions will certainly be taken with regard to security.

Answer 2

It's packed in cases and transported by truck. There is no hazard so long as the truck doesn't crash and the cases break open, but even then the hazard would be very minimal compared to what could happen with loads of oil and natural gas, and other dangerous chemicals. The amount of enriched fuel in one load should be limited, to avoid criticality in the event of it crashing into water. The following is taken from www.world-nuclear.org Transport of uranium fuel assemblies Uranium fuel assemblies are manufactured at fuel fabrication plants. The fuel assemblies are made up of ceramic pellets formed from pressed uranium oxide that has been sintered at a high temperature (over 1400°C). The pellets are aligned within long, hollow, metal rods, which in turn are arranged in the fuel assemblies, ready for introduction into the reactor. Different types of reactors require different types of fuel assembly, so when the fuel assemblies are transported from the fuel fabrication facility (where they are manufactured) to the nuclear power reactor, the contents of the shipment will vary with the type of reactor receiving it. In Western Europe, Asia and the US, the most common means of transporting uranium fuel assemblies is by truck. A typical truckload supplying a light water reactor contains 6 tonnes of fuel. In the countries of the former Soviet Union, rail transport is most often used. Intercontinental transports are mostly by sea, though occasionally transport is by air. The annual operation of a 1000 MWe light water reactor requires an average fuel load of 27 tonnes of uranium dioxide, containing 24 tonnes of enriched uranium. The assemblies containing this are normally supplied in one consignment occupying 4 to 5 trucks. The fuel assemblies are transported in packages specially constructed to protect the precision-made fuel assemblies from damage during transport. Uranium fuel assemblies have a low radioactivity level and radiation shielding is not necessary. Fuel assemblies contain fissile material and in some circumstances fissile material can spontaneously become critical, i.e. start a self-sustaining, nuclear chain reaction, releasing energy. Criticality is prevented by the design of the package, the arrangement of the fuel assemblies within the package, limitations on the amount of material contained within the package, and on the number of packages carried in one shipment

Answer 3

Uranium is stored in large pools resembling large Swimming Pools because it is radioactive.

Answer 4

Yes, uranium is traded under the authority of AIEA.

Answer 5

Yes, in any chemical or physical form.

Answer 6

Shipping or train