Nuclear fuel starts with uranium, a naturally occurring radioactive material. The yellow cake is converted into various uranium metal alloys or compunds to be used as nuclear fuel. The uranium is formed into rods, pellets, or plates. Rods or plates containing uranium are formed into fuel assemblies that are used in nuclear reactors to provide energy. Nuclear fuel generates enormous quantities of safe, clean energy.
Nuclear fuel is a solid material like coal or wood.
It is not a liquid or a gas like oil or propane. These assemblies are installed in a nuclear reactor. The size and form of a nuclear fuel assembly depends on the type of reactor in which it will be used.