downblend

/ˈdaʊn.blɛnd/

Etymology

Blend of down + blend.

downblend means to blend highly-enriched uranium, typically from decommissioned nuclear weapons, with uranium containing a low concentration of fissile uranium-235 (slightly-enriched uranium, natural uranium, or depleted uranium) in order to convert it to low-enriched uranium suitable for use as fuel in standard power reactors but not usable for a fission bomb. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 85 out of 100.

verb

To blend highly-enriched uranium, typically from decommissioned nuclear weapons, with uranium containing a low concentration of fissile uranium-235 (slightly-enriched uranium, natural uranium, or depleted uranium) in order to convert it to low-enriched uranium suitable for use as fuel in standard power reactors but not usable for a fission bomb.“The facility has the capacity to downblend 5 tonnes of bomb-grade uranium per year.”