Magnox Fuel

Springelds manufactures natural uranium metal fuel, clad in Magnox (magnesium alloy) fuel cans, for the rst generation of UK nuclear power stations.

Manufacturing Magnox Fuel

Magnox fuel was used in the worlds rst industrial scale nuclear power station at Calder Hall. In all, twenty six Magnox reactors have been built and operated in the UK since 1956. The name Magnox originates from the use of magnesium alloy as a casing for the fuel rod. Although similar in appearance, the design of each Magnox fuel element is tailored for different reactors.
Manufacturing Magnox fuel
A Magnox fuel element about 1 metre long containing natural uranium fuel produces the same amount of electricity as 150 tonnes of coal.
Uranium metal fuel

Springelds manufactures natural uranium metal fuel, clad in Magnox (magnesium alloy) fuel cans, for the rst generation of UK nuclear power stations. A Magnox fuel element consists of a uranium metal fuel rod encased in a magnesium alloy can.
Conversion, casting and canning

When the uranium ore arrives at our fuel manufacturing plants from mines around the world, it passes through a number of chemical processes that change it from uranium ore concentrate to uranium tetrauoride (UF4). Uranium tetraouride (UF4) is converted to uranium metal for Magnox fuel by mixing it with magnesium metal. When heated in a furnace to 600oC the UF4 and magnesium react together. Uranium melts and ows into a catchpot at the bottom of the furnace, a layer of uoride slag forms on the top, After cooling, the billet of uranium is separated from the slag, remelted and cast into rods.

Springelds has made magnox fuel since the early 50s.

Uranium metal fuel rods are machined before inserting into Magnox cans.

Assembly of Magnox fuel elements.

How Magnox Fuel is Produced

Uranium ore is chemically processed to produce UF4. Reduction to U metal. Casting and machining of fuel rods. Canning of Magnox fuel. Delivery to Magnox reactor. The cast uranium rods are machined to size, length and diameter grooved before being polished and degreased. On arrival at the canning plant the uranium metal rods are inserted into magnesium alloy cans and tted with end caps.
Quality assurance

Rigorous testing and quality assurance procedures ensure that the fuel element is nally inspected and packed for transportation to a Magnox power station. To date more than 5,000,000 Magnox fuel elements have been fabricated.

A Magnox fuel element produces the same amount of electricity as I50 tonnes of coal.

Over 5 million magnox fuel elements have been manufactured.

Springelds has made and delivered fuel for all 26 magnox reactors.

Calder Hall the worlds rst commercial nuclear power station.

Springelds Fuels Ltd

Springelds, Salwick Preston, Lancashire PR4 0XJ UK Tel: +44(0)1772 762000 www.springelds.ndasite.co.uk

A BNFL Group Company