A History of Innovation
As CANDU® reactors age, tritium accumulates in their moderators and heat transport systems. Increased levels of tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, can significantly contribute to personnel dose and emissions to the environment. To help utility companies reduce levels of tritium in their reactors, BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) has developed the innovative Tritium Separation Centre (TSC). A dedicated, site-specific TSC can also offer opportunities to significantly improve reactor capacity factors.
Tritium Separation Centre Overview
The TSC is a stand-alone facility that’s capable of being built anywhere on a CANDU® plant site. Tritiated heavy water is transferred from the power station to the TSC in batches for processing. After being separated from the tritium, the heavy water is returned to the station for reuse. The tritium is then safely contained in a high-security underground vault.
Trit*Ex® - A Novel Solution
At the core of the TSC is the innovative technique of isotope separation, which involves a unique combination of gaseous diffusion followed by thermal diffusion. This leading-edge diffusion technology incorporates advances in membrane separation.
Features:
- Separates tritium from heavy water and safely contains it
- Can be built anywhere on a CANDU® site and can be tailored for non-CANDU® sites
- Helps utilities meet “As Low As Reasonably Acceptable” commitments
Benefits:
- Simpler, safer, more cost-effective than conventional separation methods
- Reduces personnel dose and emissions to the environment
- Reduces risk associated with transporting tritiated water off-site to a third-party facility
- Offers opportunity to improve CANDU® station capacity factors.
*CANDU® is a trademark of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.