Natural uranium (-99.3% U~(238) + ~ 0.7 % U~(235)) is the basic raw material for nuclear fuel in Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHVVR). The energy in the reactor is derived from the 'fission' of U235, the only 'fissile' isotope in nature. These reactors also transmute the more abundant U~(238) to man-made fissile isotope Pu~(239), which could be subjected to multiple recycling, as fuel, in fast reactor for efficient utilization of natural uranium resources and to ensure long term sustainability of nuclear energy.
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