Tritium Solutions & High Vacuum Technology

Tritium Solutions handles the hydrogen isotope tritium. The third isotope of hydrogen is radioactive and decays to helium-3, emitting beta rays (electrons) and antineutrinos. Handling this gas is correspondingly difficult, as it is also the gas with the smallest atomic mass.

Tritium Solutions takes this into account and includes products designed to be compatible with the gas. Tritium Solutions’ processes consider the optimal distribution of quantities within gas handling systems, raw material handling and supply, the prevention and purification of resulting tritium residues, and disposal via the most efficient disposal route possible.

Tritium Solutions also starts with the needs assessment, continues with processes and the products used, and even examines legal and statutory requirements and needs. smolsys offers a comprehensive tritium solution. Where it cannot cover everything itself, it works with long-standing, internationally recognized partners. smolsys — your Tritium Solutions partner!

High vacuum technology deals with the creation and maintenance of air- or gas-free spaces. It is used in processes that require the handling of specific, often very pure or hazardous gases, especially in oxygen-free or otherwise controlled environments.

In this context, smolsys uses high vacuum technology for the handling of tritium. This very expensive gas is used in relatively small quantities and mostly, due to risk considerations, in a vacuum. Other areas that use high vacuum technology include the semiconductor and coating industries, aerospace, and chemicals. High vacuum technology includes products for the creation, storage, movement, and use of gas-free spaces, such as pumps, chambers, valves, feedthroughs, etc.

Fusion Technology Solution combines Tritium Solutions and High Vacuum Technology to handle tritium gas efficiently and in a highly controlled manner. This is especially important for the fusion industry, the generation of electricity through nuclear fusion.

Fusion Technology Solution incorporates the solutions and products from Tritium Solutions and High Vacuum Technology and adapts them as best as possible to the requirements of nuclear fusion research. Since Fusion Technology Solution is a young industry, this often involves customized adaptations and solution developments. Ask us for details regarding Fusion Technology Solution.

Tritium is the third isotope of hydrogen. The first is protium — ordinary hydrogen, a single proton without a neutron. The second is deuterium, which carries one neutron in its nucleus and is not radioactive. Tritium carries two neutrons, and that makes it radioactive: it decays into inert helium with a half-life of 12.3 years. Tritium forms naturally in large quantities through neutron radiation, above all in the oceans.

For industrial use, however, tritium is produced in nuclear reactors, where it is a by-product of electricity generation. It has to be removed there and is then available to industry for research and medicine.

Getting tritium is difficult depending on the type of tritium. Products such as GTLS (Gaseous Tritium Light Sources) are available in some countries to private individuals or companies under more or less restrictive conditions. smolsys sells self-produced GTLS light sources as lighting inserts.

Pure tritium gas, on the other hand, is subject to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which is intended to prevent the spread of knowledge and materials for the production of nuclear weapons. Tritium can be purchased under strict conditions and international controls (end-use declaration).

How to get tritium for companies: smolsys does not sell tritium gas itself, but works with RC-Tritec AG in Teufen, Switzerland.