Analyzing Environmental Tritium Cycle for Fusion Energy and National Security

Although tritium is a sought-after isotope of hydrogen for fusion fuel, it is important to consider the environmental impacts of its release into the environment. In order to prepare for the elevated tritium releases that may result from commercial fusion power, yearly tritium releases from different types of nuclear facilities are compiled, with an emphasis on fusion reactors. Atmospheric modeling using HYSPLIT and a Gaussian Plume model is then conducted in order to better understand current and future global tritium sources and concentrations and their release pathways in the environment. Despite elevated tritium levels near major sources, most emissions remained within regulatory bounds, although proximity to facilities still matters.

Name thesis:degree_name

Bachelor

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Arias, Liliana R.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Wainwright, Haruko Murakami

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
• Copyright retained by author(s)

Licence dc:rights.uri

• https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-EDU/1.0/

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/159916

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/159916