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Uranium Downblending Calculator

(last updated 27 Dec 2021)
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Calculate the mass balance for downblending of Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) for use as fuel in a nuclear power plant.

Enter a value into any one field of the flow chart and click the "Calculate" button below. HELP
"t" means metric tonne.
"UN" stands for uranyl nitrate: UO₂(NO₃)₂

Blendstock: ( SWU contained)		Feed (HEU): ( SWU contained)
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(= t U)		(= t U)
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Downblending Plant
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	Product (LEU): t UO₂
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	(= t U) ( SWU equivalent)

Product (LEU) properties:
U-235: wt-%
U-234: wt-% (= µg/g_U-235) ASTM compliance:
U-236: wt-% (= µg/g_U-235) ASTM compliance:

SWU Loss from Blending (and Blendstock enrichment, if applicable):
% of SWU spent for HEU enrichment

Process Parameters

HEU Feed Assay: wt-% U-235 · wt-% U-234 *) · wt-% U-236

Assuming HEU was obtained by enrichment of:
Origin Assay: wt-% U-235 · Tails Assay: wt-% U-235

Blendstock Sample:
DU = depleted uranium · Unat = natural uranium · SEU = slightly enriched uranium · Urep = reprocessed uranium
Assay: wt-% U-235 · wt-% U-234 *) · wt-% U-236

If Blendstock is obtained by enrichment of Blendstock Origin:
Origin Assay: wt-% U-235 · Tails Assay: wt-% U-235 **)

LEU Product Assay: wt-% U-235 equiv.

For reference, assume LEU is obtained by enrichment of:
Reference Origin Assay: wt-% U-235 · Tails Assay: wt-% U-235

General Factor for U-236 effect: excess wt-% U-235 per wt-% U-236
Mixing process: gas (UF₆) liquid (UN) liquid (molten U)

*) automatically inserted upon entry of U-235 assay or Origin Assay - can be overwritten
**) in case of DU use for blendstock, entry of product assay possible

Process Parameters
HEU Feed	Assay: wt-% U-235 · wt-% U-234 *) · wt-% U-236 Assuming HEU was obtained by enrichment of: Origin Assay: wt-% U-235 · Tails Assay: wt-% U-235
Blendstock	Sample: DU = depleted uranium · Unat = natural uranium · SEU = slightly enriched uranium · Urep = reprocessed uranium Assay: wt-% U-235 · wt-% U-234 ) · wt-% U-236 If Blendstock is obtained by enrichment of Blendstock Origin: Origin Assay: wt-% U-235 · Tails Assay: wt-% U-235 *)
LEU Product	Assay: wt-% U-235 equiv. For reference, assume LEU is obtained by enrichment of: Reference Origin Assay: wt-% U-235 · Tails Assay: wt-% U-235
General	Factor for U-236 effect: excess wt-% U-235 per wt-% U-236 Mixing process: gas (UF₆) liquid (UN) liquid (molten U)

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