How can nuclear waste fuel the energy of tomorrow?

Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have put forward a groundbreaking proposal to tackle two pressing nuclear challenges simultaneously: growing nuclear waste and scarce fuel for fusion reactors.

By using an innovative accelerator-driven system, researchers aim to recycle spent nuclear fuel and extract tritium, a rare hydrogen isotope crucial for powering fusion energy.

What role does tritium play in fusion energy?

Tritium is a key fuel component that, combined with deuterium, powers fusion reactors by mimicking the sun's energy-producing reactions. While deuterium is abundant, tritium is extremely rare and short-lived, making its supply a major bottleneck in fusion development.

Current tritium production relies heavily on Canadian reactors, with global stockpiles totaling less than 25 kilograms, which is insufficient for widespread fusion deployment.

Did you know?
Tritium, a rare isotope critical for fusion energy, decays rapidly and the global supply is less than 55 pounds, about the weight of a small watermelon.

How does the new system convert nuclear waste into fuel?

The Los Alamos proposal uses a particle accelerator to bombard nuclear waste with protons, triggering neutron bursts that generate tritium. The waste is immersed in molten lithium salt, which captures the tritium and acts as a safety buffer by controlling heat and radiation.

Importantly, the system is subcritical, unable to sustain a chain reaction independently, making it safer and easier to control than conventional reactors.

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Los Alamos initiative could revolutionize fusion fuel supply

Simulations suggest this technology could produce approximately 2 kilograms of tritium per gigawatt-year, matching the total annual output of Canadian reactors but with enhanced safety and efficiency.

This dual approach addresses the environmental liability of mounting nuclear waste while ensuring a stable, domestic supply of tritium to accelerate fusion energy adoption.

The innovative accelerator-driven system and tritium production

This system's ability to repurpose nuclear waste marks a pivotal advance toward a circular nuclear economy, cutting costs and mitigating proliferation risks.

Future work includes refining safety models and scaling the system to meet the high tritium demand of commercial fusion reactors, potentially transforming long-term energy security and waste management.

Harnessing nuclear waste as a resource embodies a vital step in bridging current energy challenges with a sustainable, clean energy future powered by fusion.