The Management of Ontario Hydro's Heavy Water Resources

Abstract

CANDU-PHW reactors require about 1 Mg heavy water inventory per rated MW e. Ontario Hydro owns and operates 8 such power reactors and has an additional 12 units under construction. The production and management of the large quantities of heavy water to support this program require centralized resource management.

The main thrust of the heavy water management effort is directed to:

• (a) minimize the contribution to the Total Unit Energy Cost of replacing losses and recycling downgraded heavy water,
• (b) enhancing fuel burnup by maintaining high concentration of D20 in moderator systems,
• (c) providing secure storage of the tritium produced to minimize its impact a reactor operations, and
• (d) ensuring future supplies of heavy water.

The management techniques, information, and engineering systems used are described.