Configurations to separately identify elemental tritium, the oxides of tritium, as well as total tritium.

 

THE NATURE OF TRITIUM

The third isotope of hydrogen, called tritium, is an artificially created substance which is very weakly radioactive. Upon radioactive decay, it emits a beta particle with a maximum energy of about 18 kev. The half life of tritium is somewhat over 12 years, which makes it a relatively long lived radioactive material.

Since it is chemically indistinguishable from hydrogen, tritium is readily absorbed by the body and can be hazardous to human health. Because it is readily aborbed by the human body, it is used (along with Carbon 14) as a radioactive tracer in the pharmaceutical industry.

THE PHOENIX REACTION

Tritium fuses with deuterium (hydrogen 2) under conditions of high pressure and temperature, releasing enormous quantities of energy. Called the Phoenix reaction, this is the basis of mankind's future source of energy, as well as being one of today's major methods of destruction.

Tritium is an unwanted phenomenon in heavy-water moderated nuclear power plants. It is the result of neutron capture by the D2O itself, and becomes a hazard when -- after a number of years of operation -- the concentration of DTO becomes significant.

WHERE MONITORS ARE NEEDED

Tritium, and the need for its measurement or monitoring, is found in several broad areas including:

Nuclear fusion research laboratories.

Heavy-water nuclear reactor plants.

Manufacturing facilities for self-powered lights.

Radiopharmaceutical laboratories (with C14 and other radioisotopes).

Weapons production, research and development facilities.

Weapons deployment facilities.

 

Continue