Nuclear fuel containing recycled and depleted uranium, and nuclear fuel bundle and nuclear reactor comprising same

A fuel for a heavy water nuclear reactor, the fuel comprising:

• a first fuel component of recycled uranium having a fissile content greater than 0 wt %;
• and
• a second fuel component of natural uranium having a fissile content greater than 0 wt %, the second fuel component blended with the first fuel component,
• wherein the fuel has a fissile content in a range of greater than 0.72 wt % of 235U and less than 1.2 wt % of 235U,
• wherein the fuel when burned by the nuclear reactor, has a negative fuel temperature coefficient,
• wherein the fuel is substantially free of post processed plutonium,
• wherein the recycled uranium and depleted uranium comprise constituent components including 234U, 235U, and 236U, and 238U, and chemical impurities;
• wherein the first fuel component and second fuel component are blended such that the fissile content of 235U of the fuel is in the range based on the amounts of constituent components and chemical impurities;
• wherein the fuel is configured to be inserted into the heavy water nuclear reactor and burned as a fresh fuel when the heavy water nuclear reactor is operating;
• and
• wherein the fuel is configured to be positioned in the heavy water nuclear reactor to maintain a negative fuel temperature coefficient for the heavy water reactor when burned.

Use of a fuel in a heavy water nuclear reactor to maintain a negative fuel temperature coefficient of the reactor, the fuel comprising:

• a first fuel component of recycled uranium having a fissile content greater than 0 wt %;
• and
• a second fuel component of depleted uranium having a fissile content greater than 0 wt %, the second fuel component blended with the first fuel component,
• wherein the fuel has a fissile content in a range of greater than 0.72 wt % and less than 1.2 wt % of 235U, wherein the heavy water nuclear reactor is refueled with the fuel to maintain the negative fuel temperature coefficient of the reactor,
• wherein the fuel, when burned by the nuclear reactor, has a negative fuel temperature coefficient, wherein the fuel is substantially free of post processed plutonium,
• wherein the recycled uranium and depleted uranium comprise constituent components including 234U, 235U, and 236U, and 238U, and chemical impurities;
• wherein the first fuel component and second fuel component are blended such that the fissile content of 235U of the fuel is in the range based on the amounts of constituent components and chemical impurities;
• wherein the fuel is configured to be inserted into the heavy water nuclear reactor and burned as a fresh fuel when the heavy water nuclear reactor is operating;
• and
• wherein the fuel is configured to be positioned in the heavy water nuclear reactor to maintain a negative fuel temperature coefficient for the heavy water reactor when burned.