HEU
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Energy
| Stands for | Highly enriched uranium |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
HEU stands for Highly enriched uranium, an energy abbreviation.
Uranium enriched to 20% or more uranium-235, used in nuclear weapons (typically about 90%), naval propulsion reactors and some research reactors. HEU is tightly controlled because a few tens of kilograms are enough for a bomb.
Example: The agreement required all HEU at the research reactor to be removed and replaced with LEU fuel.
Usage notes
Under the 1993 "Megatons to Megawatts" program, 500 tonnes of Russian weapons HEU were diluted into reactor fuel, supplying roughly 10% of US electricity for years until 2013. Minimizing civilian HEU has been a goal of nuclear security summits.
Related abbreviations
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