Nuclear fuel resources uranium production

FIGURE 2.2 The annual production of uranium and the annual requirements between 1945 and 2012. (From World Nuclear Association, http //www.world-nuclear.org/info/ Nuclear-Fuel-Cycle/Uranium-Resources/Uranium-Markets/, last accessed July 27, 2014. With permission.)... 

In the light of the projected growth of demand for energy services, particularly electricity, there is a renewed interest in the extension of nuclear power in some countries. With uranium being a finite resource as well, Chapter 4 focuses primarily on the question of a future expansion of nuclear power in the context of the availability of nuclear fuels. Moreover, the evolution of the next generation of nuclear reactors, such as breeder reactors or reactors suitable for hydrogen production, is addressed. 

Since only 0.71 % of natural uranium is fissionable, the production of fissile material from fertile material could greatly elfect the utilization of the existing nuclear fuels, thus enormously enlarging the natural resources available for power production. 

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