Depleted/Enriched Uranium Fraction Calculator - HELP
(last updated 6 Nov 2006)
Contents:
This calculator determines the fraction of depleted uranium contained in a mix of natural and depleted uranium, or the fraction of enriched uranium contained in a mix of natural and enriched uranium, provided that the isotope composition of the components is known. Typical applications include dust samples or other environmental samples.
The isotopic composition data for the sample analyzed can be entered in the Input Data table.
The parameters used for the calculation can be set in the Parameters table. These parameters show reasonable initial values which can be modified as needed. There are no other hidden parameters used in the calculation. Any assumptions made for the calculations are described on this page.
Enter either the isotopic data or the isotopic ratio.
- Isotopic Data
- The isotopic data can be entered for U-235 and U-238. If no data is entered for U-238, it is assumed that all of the remainder is U-238.
Select appropriate unit:
- atom-percent (atom_%)
- weight-percent (wt_%)
- milligram per kilogram (mg/kg = ppm)
- Becquerels per gram (Bq/g)
- pico-Curies per gram (pCi/g)
- Isotopic Ratio
- The isotopic ratio can be entered as U-235/U-238 fraction or as its reciprocal.
Select appropriate fraction:
Select appropriate unit:
- atom ratio
- weight ratio
- activity ratio
This table contains the isotopic data for natural, depleted and enriched uranium. For each type, U-235 and U-238 are entered in weight-percent (wt_%). If no data is entered for U-238, it is assumed that all of the remainder is U-238.
Typical values for the concentration of U-235 in depleted uranium range between 0.2 and 0.3 weight-percent. This value, also known as tails assay, can be selected during the enrichment process according to economic feasibilty.
Typical values for the concentration of U-235 in enriched uranium for light water reactor use range between 3 and 5 weight-percent.