TITANS - Tritium Impact and Transfer in Advanced Nuclear reactorS   

ID Call : HORIZON-EURATOM-2021-NRT-01 - Nuclear Research and Training

Sapienza's role in the project: Other beneficiary

Scientific supervisor for Sapienza: Alessandro Tassone

Department: Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering

Project start date: September 1, 2022

Project end date: August 31, 2025

Project Abstract:

Operation of a nuclear power plant and especially of fusion devices and future GEN IV reactors generates various amounts of tritium that, due to high-temperature operation conditions, could permeate through the confinement materials and consequently may be released into the environment. TITANS will address two main topics related to the mitigation of tritium release into the environment, namely the enhancement of the barriers against tritium permeation and tritium recovery from the tritiated waste for its reuse. The mitigation of tritium permeation into the environment can be realized either by various surface treatments, chemical and layers deposition, or by implementing so-called active barriers.

The proposed activities target the characterization of an active barrier concept in combination with the chemical treatment of the wetted tritium surfaces. The conceptual configuration of a mobile water detritiation facility will be carried out aiming to recover tritium from the water and to release into the environment almost tritium-free gaseous or liquid effluents. The project is complemented by activities finalized to the characterization of the radiological risks posed by tritiated metallic dust and other compounds produced by the operation and decommissioning of advanced nuclear power plants.

Sapienza's contribution is focused on the validation in the tritium environment of permeation phenomena considering treatment and chemistry of the tritium wetted surface. This will be done through experimental activities for assessment of tritium transport through Eurofer material in water at operational conditions relevant for fusion and fission activities. Sapienza will also be involved in raising awareness of the topics related to the TITANS project and disseminating the knowledge gained within the project to the scientific community and general public which includes publications in selected scientific journals, participation at conferences and workshops and other events