Stages of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

The nuclear fuel cycle uses uranium in different chemical and physical forms. As illustrated below, this cycle typically includes the following stages:

• Uranium recovery to extract (or mine) uranium ore, and concentrate (or mill) the ore to produce "yellowcake"
• Conversion of yellowcake into uranium hexafluoride (UF₆)
• Enrichment to increase the concentration of uranium-235 (U²³⁵) in UF₆
• Deconversion to reduce the hazards associated with the depleted uranium hexafluoride (DUF₆), or "tailings," produced in earlier stages of the fuel cycle
• Fuel fabrication to convert enriched UF₆ into fuel for nuclear reactors
• Use of the fuel in reactors (nuclear power, research, or naval propulsion)
• Interim storage of spent nuclear fuel
• Reprocessing (or recycling) of high-level waste (currently not done in the U.S.) ^[1]
• Final disposition (disposal) of high-level waste

^[1]  Neither a recycling/reprocessing facility nor a Federal waste repository is currently approved (licensed) in the United States, and spent fuel is in interim storage. However, the NRC is currently reviewing a license application for a new Mixed-Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility, which would recycle surplus weapon-grade plutonium, remove impurities, and mix it with uranium oxide to form mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel pellets for use in reactor fuel assemblies. For additional information, see the Backgrounder on Mixed Oxide Fuel and the Frequently Asked Questions About Mixed Oxide Fuel.

Resource: http://www.nrc.gov/materials/fuel-cycle-fac/stages-fuel-cycle.html