The Accelerator Production of Tritium Project

Tritium is essential for U.S. nuclear weapons to function, but because it is radioactive with a half-life of 12.3 years, the supply must be periodically replenished. Since the last production reactor stopped operating in 1988, tritium has been recovered from dismantled nuclear weapons. This process is possible only as long as many weapons are being retired and will not work indefinitely, thus requiring the United States to bring a new tritium production capability on line. To make the required amount of tritium using an accelerator system (APT), neutrons will be generated by high-energy proton reactions with tungsten and lead. Those neutrons will be moderated, and captured to make tritium. The APT plant design is based on a 1700 MeV linear accelerator operated at 100 mA CW. In preparation for engineering design, scheduled to start in October 1997, and subsequent construction, a program of engineering development and demonstration is underway. That work includes assembly of a 20 MeV, 100 mA low-energy linac plant prototype, high-energy linac accelerating structure protoyping, radiofrequency system improvements, neutronic efficiency measurements, and materials qualifications.