reactor fuel cycle
reactor fuel cycle
[rē′ak·tər ′fyül ‚sī·kəl] (nucleonics)
The processes of preparing fuel elements and assemblies for use in a reactor, using these elements in reactor operation, recovering radioactive by-products from spent fuel, and reprocessing remaining fissionable material into new fuel elements. Also known as fuel cycle; nuclear fuel cycle.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.