MOX

MOX (Mixed Oxide) is a mixture of uranium and plutonium oxides used as nuclear fuel in pressurized water reactors adapted for this purpose. MOX fuel contains 5 to 7% plutonium mixed with natural uranium. The plutonium is generally extracted from the spent fuel of reactors that is recycled after reprocessing operations is recycled.. This fuel, more radioactive than ordinary uranium fuel requires more radioprotection. Once irradiated, the MOX fuel assemblies contain more actinides and are therefore more toxic and emit more heat. One can also downblend the weapon-grade plutonium of atomic weapons by a passage in a reactor.