Post by Trade Forum on Oct 28, 2022 9:20:21 GMT 1
Uranium: Fuel For Nuclear Power Plants, Nuclear Reactors And Nuclear Weapons
In this article we are going to start a journey into one of the mineral resources that exist in Nigeria and even in some African countries but rarely taken note because of some strange beliefs. Naturally, when the name Uranium is mentioned, people’s minds will go straight to atomic bombs and other dangerous elements, therefore it is a no go area to them.
Uranium is a silvery heavy radioactive polyvalent metallic element that is found especially in uraninite and exists naturally as a mixture of mostly non fissionable isotopes.
Uranium is one of the natural resources in Nigeria, it is a predominant mineral that can be found in Africa, and while some countries like South Africa, Namibia, and even Niger have been into the proper mining of this mineral, it has remained untapped in Nigeria and some other Africa countries where it is deposited.
Uranium can be found in six states in Nigeria, namely: Cross River, Adamawa, Taraba, Plateau, Bauchi and Kano.
Which African country is rich in uranium?
Uranium production is an important part of the African economy, with Niger, Namibia and South Africa creating up to 18% of the world's annual production. Many African countries produce uranium or have untapped uranium ore deposits.
What is the leading African producer of uranium?
Namibia
Namibia led the uranium production in Africa as of 2021, with an output of 5,400 metric tons. Niger followed, the production stood at 2,642 metric tons in the country. Overall, Africa had the second-largest uranium production in the world in 2021.
What is the difference between U-235 and U-238?
The nucleus of the U-235 atom contains 92 protons and 143 neutrons, giving an atomic mass of 235 units. The U-238 atom nucleus also contains 92 protons but has 146 neutrons – three more than U-235 – and therefore has an atomic mass of 238 units.
What is uranium used for?
Uranium “enriched” into U-235 concentrations can be used as fuel for nuclear power plants and the nuclear reactors that run naval ships and submarines. It also can be used in nuclear weapons.
Chemical properties of Uranium:
weakly radioactive, extremely dense metal (65% denser than lead).
Depleted uranium (uranium containing mostly U-238) can be used for radiation shielding or as projectiles in armour-piercing weapons.
Uranium is also used by the military to power nuclear submarines and in nuclear weapons. Depleted uranium is uranium that has much less uranium-235 than natural uranium. It is considerably less radioactive than natural uranium. It is a dense metal that can be used as ballast for ships and counterweights for aircraft.
Where does it come from?
U-235 and U-238 occur naturally in nearly all rock, soil, and water. U-238 is the most abundant form in the environment. U-235 can be concentrated in a process called “enrichment,” making it suitable for use in nuclear reactors or weapons.
What form is it in?
Uranium is an extremely heavy metal. Enriched uranium can be in the form of small pellets that are packaged in the long tubes used in nuclear reactors.
What does it look like?
When it has been refined and enriched, uranium is a silvery-white metal.
Can uranium hurt human beings?
Ingestion of high concentrations of uranium can cause severe health effects, such as cancer of the bone or liver. Inhaling large concentrations of uranium can cause lung cancer from the exposure to alpha particles. Uranium is also a toxic chemical, meaning that ingestion of uranium can cause kidney damage from its chemical properties much sooner than its radioactive properties would cause cancers of the bone or liver.
I assure you that we are going to continue the discussion of this metal in future articles because of its importance in making nuclear weapons and others.
Our company is one of the best companies in Agro-Export Business in Nigeria today. We train individuals and corporate organizations on how to do Export Business the right way; if you are interested, please contact the admin of this forum now for further details.
Uranium is a silvery heavy radioactive polyvalent metallic element that is found especially in uraninite and exists naturally as a mixture of mostly non fissionable isotopes.
Uranium is one of the natural resources in Nigeria, it is a predominant mineral that can be found in Africa, and while some countries like South Africa, Namibia, and even Niger have been into the proper mining of this mineral, it has remained untapped in Nigeria and some other Africa countries where it is deposited.
Uranium can be found in six states in Nigeria, namely: Cross River, Adamawa, Taraba, Plateau, Bauchi and Kano.
Which African country is rich in uranium?
Uranium production is an important part of the African economy, with Niger, Namibia and South Africa creating up to 18% of the world's annual production. Many African countries produce uranium or have untapped uranium ore deposits.
What is the leading African producer of uranium?
Namibia
Namibia led the uranium production in Africa as of 2021, with an output of 5,400 metric tons. Niger followed, the production stood at 2,642 metric tons in the country. Overall, Africa had the second-largest uranium production in the world in 2021.
What is the difference between U-235 and U-238?
The nucleus of the U-235 atom contains 92 protons and 143 neutrons, giving an atomic mass of 235 units. The U-238 atom nucleus also contains 92 protons but has 146 neutrons – three more than U-235 – and therefore has an atomic mass of 238 units.
What is uranium used for?
Uranium “enriched” into U-235 concentrations can be used as fuel for nuclear power plants and the nuclear reactors that run naval ships and submarines. It also can be used in nuclear weapons.
Chemical properties of Uranium:
weakly radioactive, extremely dense metal (65% denser than lead).
Depleted uranium (uranium containing mostly U-238) can be used for radiation shielding or as projectiles in armour-piercing weapons.
Uranium is also used by the military to power nuclear submarines and in nuclear weapons. Depleted uranium is uranium that has much less uranium-235 than natural uranium. It is considerably less radioactive than natural uranium. It is a dense metal that can be used as ballast for ships and counterweights for aircraft.
Where does it come from?
U-235 and U-238 occur naturally in nearly all rock, soil, and water. U-238 is the most abundant form in the environment. U-235 can be concentrated in a process called “enrichment,” making it suitable for use in nuclear reactors or weapons.
What form is it in?
Uranium is an extremely heavy metal. Enriched uranium can be in the form of small pellets that are packaged in the long tubes used in nuclear reactors.
What does it look like?
When it has been refined and enriched, uranium is a silvery-white metal.
Can uranium hurt human beings?
Ingestion of high concentrations of uranium can cause severe health effects, such as cancer of the bone or liver. Inhaling large concentrations of uranium can cause lung cancer from the exposure to alpha particles. Uranium is also a toxic chemical, meaning that ingestion of uranium can cause kidney damage from its chemical properties much sooner than its radioactive properties would cause cancers of the bone or liver.
I assure you that we are going to continue the discussion of this metal in future articles because of its importance in making nuclear weapons and others.
Our company is one of the best companies in Agro-Export Business in Nigeria today. We train individuals and corporate organizations on how to do Export Business the right way; if you are interested, please contact the admin of this forum now for further details.
