Tritium Production, Management and its Impact on Safety for a D-³He Fusion Reactor

About three percent of the fusion energy produced by a D-³He reactor is in the form of neutrons. Those neutrons are generated by D-D and D-T reactions, with the tritium produced by the D-D fusion. The neutrons will react with structural steel, deuterium, ³He and shielding material to produce tritium. About half of the tritium generated by the D-D reaction will not burn in the plasma and will exit as a part of the plasma exhaust. Thus, there is enough tritium produced in a D-³He reactor and careful management will be required. The tritium produced in the shield and plasma can be managed with an acceptable effect on cost and safety.