Source: TH
Context: Iran announced plans to launch advanced centrifuges in response to a censure resolution by the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), escalating tensions over its nuclear program.
About Centrifugal Process:
- Definition: Centrifuges spin uranium gas at high speeds to enrich uranium by increasing the concentration of the fissile isotope U-235.
- Uses: Low-enriched uranium (LEU) is used for nuclear reactors, while highly enriched uranium (HEU) can be used for nuclear weapons.
- Efficiency: Advanced centrifuges enrich uranium faster and require fewer machines compared to older designs.
- Origins: Iran’s centrifuge program began in the 1980s using designs and components acquired from A.Q. Khan’s proliferation network.
- International Concerns: The process raises fears of nuclear weapons development due to its dual-use nature.
About Uranium Enrichment:
- Definition: Enrichment is the process of increasing the proportion of U-235 isotope in uranium to make it suitable for use in nuclear reactors or weapons.
- Natural Uranium Composition: Contains 0.7% U-235 (fissile isotope) and 99.3% U-238 (non-fissile).
- Purpose: Enhances U-235 concentration from 0.7% to 3-5% for standard nuclear reactors (LEU) or up to 20% for specialized reactors (HALEU).
- Fission Process: U-235 undergoes nuclear fission to produce heat for energy generation in reactors.
- Methods of Enrichment: Isotope separation techniques like gas centrifuges and gaseous diffusion are commonly used.
