World Nuclear Transport Industry
Chemical Conversion
WNTIWNTI

Chemical Conversion

Uranium ore concentrate can not be used in nuclear reactors; first it must be enriched. Before enrichment, it must be converted into a gaseous form called uranium hexafluoride, or Hex. The majority of commercial conversion plants are located in North America, Europe and Russia.

The gaseous Hex is loaded into 48Y steel cylinders (48" in diameter) which solidifies inside the cylinder on cooling to room temperature. Once securely packaged, the cylinders are transported by rail, road and sea to enrichment facilities.

Image library

Transport of natural UF6 in 48Y cylinders with CTPs, Courtesy of Advance Uranium Asset Management LimitedTransport of natural UF6 heels in 48Y cylinders in Europe, Courtesy of Advance Uranium Asset Management Limited48Y Loading operation at port, Courtesy of AREVALoading of 48Y, Courtesy of AREVA48Y UF6, Courtesy of RSB Logistic Inc.48Y Container leaving site Courtesy of URENCOSecuring Hex transport, Courtesy of Advance Uranium Asset Management Limited
[scroll to see more images/videos]

Related Publications



Fact Sheet 1
Safety Regulations Governing Radioactive Materials Transport


Fact Sheet 2
Package Types used for Transporting Radioactive Materials


Fact Sheet 3
Nuclear Fuel Cycle Transport - Front End Materials


Fact Sheet 6
Nuclear Fuel Cycle Transport


Fact Sheet 7
The Safe Transport of Uranium Ore Concentrates


Information Paper 1
Radioactive Materials Transport - Industry Experience


Information Paper 2
Radiation Protection Programmes - for Road Carriers, Sea Carriers and Port Handlers


Information Paper 3
Nuclear Fuel Cycle Transport - The IAEA Regulations and their Relevance to Severe Accidents


Review 1
Radioactive Materials Transport - The International Safety Regime


Review 2
Radiation Dose Assessment for the Transport of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials


Conference Paper
Thinking Outside the Box

[scroll to see more documents]