Fusion technology experience at Ontario Hydro's Darlington Tritium Removal Facility and heavy water upgraders

Abstract

Ontario Hydro has nine operating heavy water upgraders and has constructed the world's largest tritium removal facility, with a design removal capacity of 24 MCi/yr. The extensive experience obtained in the construction, commissioning and operation of these facilities is very relevant to systems in the fuel cycle of a DT burning fusion reactor. This paper primarily summarizes the experience obtained during construction, commissioning and early operation of the tritium removal facility. In addition, relevance of experience gained in successfully operating heavy water upgraders is indicated.