Problem Isotopes in Recycled Uranium

Table 3.2: Additional Isotopes in Recycled Uranium

Isotope	Decay Mode	Half-life	Significance
U-232	Alpha ( $\alpha$ )	68.9 years	Daughter product Tl-208 emits a very strong 2.6 MeV gamma ray — requires shielding. Grows in over time making handling increasingly difficult.
U-234	Alpha ( $\alpha$ )	2.46 $\times$ 10 $^5$ years	Present in higher concentrations than in fresh fuel.
U-236	Alpha ( $\alpha$ )	2.34 $\times$ 10 $^7$ years	A neutron absorber — reprocessed uranium must be enriched to a higher level in U-235 to compensate.

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