Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has signed a contract worth two hundred million dollars to construct a tritium removal facility at the site of Romania’s Cernavoda nuclear power plant. The Romanians developed the technology that will be used at the new facility.
Hwang Joo-ho is the CEO of KHNP. Cosmin Ghiță is the general manager of Romanian nuclear power plant operator Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica (SNN). The two men signed the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract in Seoul on the 27th of June.
As Candu pressurized heavy water reactors age, tritium accumulates in their moderator and heat transport systems. Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen with one proton and two neutrons in the nucleus. Increased levels of tritium can significantly contribute to personnel dose rates of radioactivity and radioactive emissions levels in the environment. Tritium removal technology is designed to capture and process tritium so it can be properly stored. This process reduces environmental impact, personnel exposure levels and enhances workplace safety.
The Cernavoda tritium removal facility will be the world’s third such facility and the first one in Europe. The technology that will be used was developed by the Romanian National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies (ICSI). The ICSI is a scientific research and technology development unit under the coordination of the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization.
The new tritium removal facility will include several high-technology areas. These include liquid phase isotopic separation, cryogenic distillation, and high-vacuum operations. The extracted tritium will be stored in secure and safe specialized containers ready for future use.
The SNN said that the facility will “give Romania the opportunity to become a European hub for tritium production and export – the fuel candidate of future clean fusion reactors. Also, Romania has the opportunity to develop its suppliers' chain and become a center for development and export of the Romanian tritium removal technology and know-how, using localized factories and workforce”.
KNHP was selected as the EPC contractor after a public procurement process. It is estimated that the project will be completed in fifty months.
Ghiță said, “We are happy to implement a Romanian innovative technology, based on years of research and development, a true statement of Romania's leadership in nuclear industry. KHNP, a leading expert in the field is the right partner to support us in delivering a safe and reliable project. The tritium removal facility represents Nuclearelectrica's constant commitment to safe operation and protection of the environment and population. Our purpose, through our investment projects, technological advancement and international cooperation, is to provide Romania a leading role in the nuclear industry and support its energy security. I am fully appreciative of ICSI, my team at Nuclearelectrica and our partners for their efforts and shared vision for a sustainable future for the next generation.”
Currently, Cernavoda is the only operational nuclear power plant in Romania. It consists of two six hundred and fifty megawatt Candu-6 reactors. Reactor One went into commercial operation in 1996 and Reactor Two went operational in 2007. SNN is working on extending the life of Reactor One to sixty years. Tritium removal facilities are already in operation at the Ontario Power Generation’s Darlington plant in Canada and KHNP’s Wolsong plant in China.