Yellowcake
What is Yellowcake?
Yellowcake (ammonium diuranate, (NH₄)₂U₂O₇, or more generally a mixture of uranium oxides) is an intermediate product of uranium ore processing, obtained by leaching uranium from crushed ore and precipitating it with ammonia or hydrogen peroxide. It is a coarse powder typically yellow to dark brown in color and contains about 80% uranium oxide (U₃O₈). Yellowcake is a key feedstock in the nuclear fuel cycle, further processed to produce uranium hexafluoride (UF₆) for isotopic enrichment and ultimately nuclear reactor fuel.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Yellowcake (ammonium diuranate, (NH₄)₂U₂O₇, or more generally a mixture of uranium oxides) is an intermediate product of uranium ore processing, obtained by leaching uranium from crushed ore and precipitating it with ammonia or hydrogen peroxide. It is a coarse powder typically yellow to dark brown in color and contains about 80% uranium oxide (U₃O₈). Yellowcake is a key feedstock in the nuclear fuel cycle, further processed to produce uranium hexafluoride (UF₆) for isotopic enrichment and ultimately nuclear reactor fuel.