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DTRA’s advancements in nuclear and radiological detection
A new, more complex nuclear age has begun. Echoing the tensions of the Cold War amid rapidly evolving nuclear and radiological threats, preparedness in the modern age is a contest of scientific innovation. The Research and Development Directorate (RD) at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is charged with winning this contest.
Musharaf Rabbani, Anthony Busigin, Haiqin Mao, Nisa Halsey, Dayna La Barbera
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 80 | Number 3 | April-May 2024 | Pages 330-339
Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/15361055.2023.2232227
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Tritium is used as a fuel in nuclear fusion, and water detritiation is an important part of the overall fusion fuel cycle. This paper compares two competing technologies for an ITER-scale water detritiation reactor, namely, the advanced water distillation (AWD) and combined electrolysis and catalytic exchange (CECE) processes. The processes are compared in terms of equipment size and footprint, energy demand, isotope separation characteristics, safety, and technology readiness level. An important technical concern discussed is management of deuterium accumulation since deuterium is enriched along with tritium and D-T separation is inherently more difficult than H-T separation. Interfacing with a downstream isotope separation system is also discussed.