Skip to main content
Urenco ChemPlants banner
Company logo
Urenco ChemPlants
  • Urenco ChemPlants banner
    Company logo

    Tails Management Facility

    During Urenco’s enrichment process, depleted uranium hexafluoride (UF6), also known as tails, is made as a by-product. Tails still contain a low concentration of uranium235 and can be re-enriched if economically viable.

    We store tails at our enrichment facilities in internationally approved containers pending further re-enrichment or deconversion to a chemically stable form, uranium oxide (U3O8), for long term storage until final disposal.

    In 2010, Urenco received regulatory and planning approval to build a Tails Management Facility (TMF) at our Capenhurst site. Now operational, it is responsible for deconverting UF6 to U3O8.

    We are proud of the fact that, during the construction and commissioning of the TMF, we have achieved more than 7 million hours of safe working. The TMF was one of the safest construction sites in the UK.

    Tails Management Facility image Tails Management Facility image
    Deconversion process image Deconversion process image

    Deconversion process

    Deconversion of UF6 is achieved by reacting gaseous UF6 with steam to produce uranyl fluoride (UO2F2). We further react UO2F2 with steam and hydrogen to produce U3O8 powder and hydrogen fluoride (HF) vapour. All reactions take place within specially designed units.

    The resultant U3O8 powder is packed into containers for long term storage. The gaseous HF is cooled and liquefied as hydrofluoric acid, which is then sold to our customer. Hydrofluoric acid is extensively used for cleaning stainless steel, etching glass, removing oxide impurities from metals and purifying quartz. It is also used to produce refrigerants.

    All our activities are scrutinised and regulated by the Office of Nuclear Regulation, the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive.

    Our commitment to responsible nuclear stewardship

    We readily acknowledge our responsibility for the safe stewardship of uranium. Through our TMF, we can responsibly manage the by-product of our enrichment services, which is crucial to our commitment to nuclear stewardship and sustainability. 

    Urenco has another subsidiary, Urenco Nuclear Stewardship, also dedicated to responsible nuclear stewardship. Find out more here.

    Related documents

    General Terms of Purchase

    Download

    Newsletter

    Sign up to our newsletter by entering your email address below.

    Back to
    the goals