CTRF Project
The CTRF Project (Cernavodă Tritium Removal Facility)
The CTRF project at CNE Cernavodă is one of Nuclearelectrica’s most ambitious projects, aiming to reduce the tritium concentration in the heavy water systems of the CANDU reactors at Units 1 and 2. This project is vital for reducing the impact of tritium on the environment and for increasing the operational efficiency of the nuclear power plant.
Description of the Project
The detritiation facility (CTRF) will remove tritium from heavy water used in reactor cooling and moderation systems. This will allow heavy water to be reused indefinitely without it becoming radioactive waste. The recovered tritium will also be stored safely and can be used for future fusion reactors.
Implementation stages
- 2022 : The execution contract (EPC) was signed with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), the company chosen to develop the project due to its experience in the field of similar facilities.
- 2023 : Obtaining the necessary permits and construction work began.
- 2024 : Estimated completion of construction work and start of testing period.
- 2025 : The project will enter the trial operation period.
- 2026 : Estimated transfer of facility to commercial operation.
Benefits and Impacts
- Environmental efficiency : CTRF will contribute to reducing the risk of radioactive emissions of tritium into the environment and improve nuclear safety, having a positive impact on environmental protection.
- Reuse of heavy water : The facility will allow heavy water to be used indefinitely, eliminating the need to treat the water as radioactive waste.
- Contribution to nuclear fusion : The extracted tritium will be able to be used in future fusion reactors, such as the ITER project, turning Romania into a potential source of fusion fuel.
funding
The project has an estimated cost of 194 million euros , of which 150 million euros comes from a loan granted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
International collaboration
The project benefits from remarkable international cooperation, involving Romanian expertise through the National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies in Râmnicu Vâlcea, alongside partners from Korea, the USA, Canada and Europe.
The Cernavodă Tritium Detrition Facility will be the first of its kind in Europe, underscoring Romania’s role as a leader in the development of innovative nuclear solutions.