The Management of Tritium Reduction at Ontario Hydro

Abstract

Tritium is produced in operating CANDU reactors by neutron capture in the deuterium atom. Workers at CANDU installations are occasionally exposed to radiation dose from tritiated heavy water (TDO) from the moderator and the coolant (heat transport) systems. The production and buildup of tritium in these heavy water systems and the escape of tritium via trithted heavy water influence occupational dose and environmental emissions. An effective tritium management program to reduce occupational dose and environmental emissions due to tritium is an essential component of management practice at Ontario Hydro nuclear stations. Ontario Hydro has corporate programs to meet these objectives. Some approaches used at Ontario Hydro are, 1. Maintaining system integrity 2. recovery of escaped tritiated heavy water 3. displacement of tritium froa the heavy water systems, and 4. removal of tritium from the moderator and the heat transport systems (HTS). A program to manage tritium concentrations in the heavy water (HW) systems and details associated with tritium removal are described .