Safe and Compact Storage and Trnasportation of Tritium as Titanium Tritide

Abstract

The development program carried out at Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories (CRNL) on the immobilization of separated tritium from the heavy water of CANDU reactors for long-term storage has been completed. The program included the construction and operation of a laboratory facility to handle, immobilize and package tritium, an investigation of the properties and release of tritium from the titanium metal chosen to immobilize the tritium, and the design and testing of a transport container for licensing as a Type B package. The results of this experimental and testing program are summarized. They demonstrate the suitability of titanium for long-term storage and transportation of tritium.