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Why does OPAL operate with Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) fuel?

There is an important international effort that aims to convert research reactors that use HEU - High Enriched Uranium fuel (where the amount of U-235 has been enriched to greater than 20%) to LEU (Low Enriched Uranium fuel (U-235 > 20%).  HEU is a nuclear proliferation concern, although it must be noted that expert knowledge and processing equipment is needed to extract the necessary material from fuel rods for weapons use.  LEU is not suitable for use in weapons. 

Many countries possess small nuclear research reactors that are used for professional training, scientific research, and medical radioisotope production.  More than 100 operating research reactors worldwide are still fuelled with HEU.  Up until the last few years of HIFAR's operational life, LEU fuels could not provide the neutron flux necessary for the required levels of isotope production and research uses.  However, new technology has meant that in the last few years of HIFAR's operation and in the current OPAL reactor; high-density LEU fuels are now available for use within these as well as other research reactors worldwide.  OPAL uses LEU fuel.