Romanian Tritium for Nuclear Fusion

Pearson, Richard J; Comsa, Olivia; Stefan, Liviu and Nuttall, William J (2017). Romanian Tritium for Nuclear Fusion. Fusion Science and Technology, 71(4) pp. 610–615.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15361055.2017.1290931

URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/153610...

Abstract

The demand for tritium is expected to increase when ITER (the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) begins operation in the mid-2020s. Romania is expected to detritiate its CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) units at Cernavoda starting 2024, with the goal of improving radiological safety and reactor performance. Detritiation will result in a significant quantity of tritium being produced and thus Romania has an opportunity to supply tritium for fusion. In this assessment, ITER has been used as a reference device requiring tritium, as the projected tritium extraction schedule from Cernavoda aligns favourably with ITER operation. The findings suggest that Romania is capable of providing a total of 6.2 kg of tritium to ITER over its 20 year operation, generating a potential revenue of $186 M (USD). Opportunities associated with the supply of Romanian helium-3 are also considered as a hedging option, which has the potential to generate $120 M (USD) in the case of zero tritium sales. Greater involvement in future fission-fusion tritium-related activities through experience in tritium technologies is also discussed as a unique opportunity for Romania.

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