International Tritium Academy

Overview

Leveraging CNL’s 70+ years of tritium handling and processing expertise, the International Tritium Academy provides participants with direct access to world-leading knowledge, facilities, and practitioners through lectures, discussions, and hands-on laboratory exercises.

Through this intensive two-week program, participants will gain a well-rounded knowledge base, practical experience, and meaningful professional connections to support continued learning and collaboration in tritium.

FFC is actively planning course timings and availability will be limited. Use the link below to indicate your interest in the program and to receive early notice when registration opens:

International Tritium Academy Interest Survey – Fill out form

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the Week 1 lectures, participants will be able to:

Basic Properties

  • Describe tritium’s physical, chemical, and radiological properties and how these influence storage and processing.​

  • Explain tritium behavior in gases, liquids, and solids, including permeation, retention, and isotopic exchange.​

Radiation Protection & Safety

  • Explain basic principles of radiation, radiological units, and biological effects related to tritium.

  • Describe tritium‑specific hazards, exposure pathways, contamination mechanisms, and mitigation strategies.

  • Interpret applicable safety standards, regulations, operating limits, and best practices used in tritium facilities.

Concept Integration

  • Evaluate how regulatory compliance, materials selection, and operational constraints influence tritium system design.​

  • Use appropriate units, terminology, and conventions, supporting related operational, design, and scientific roles.​

  • Communicate tritium considerations effectively to multidisciplinary teams.

Technologies & Systems

  • Describe major subsystems of tritium facilities (e.g., storage, purification, detritiation).​

  • Explain the functions and limitations of common tritium system components such as pumps, getters, separators, and monitors.​

  • Describe the context of tritium fuel cycle systems for fusion devices.

Upon completion of the Week 2 practical component at Chalk River Laboratory Tritium Facility, including hands-on laboratory exercises, participants will be able to:

Application of Safety Principles

  • Demonstrate safe behavior in a licensed tritium facility, including adherence to procedures and work controls.​

  • Use appropriate protective equipment and follow contamination control practices.​

  • Recognize alarms, interlocks, and emergency response expectations in a tritium environment.​

System Interaction

  • Observe and participate in supervised operation of tritium handling and processing systems.​

  • Interpret tritium monitoring data and understand its operational significance.​

  • Recognize common operational challenges and failure modes in tritium systems. ​

Gloveboxes & Enclosures

  • Perform basic glovebox operations safely, including material manipulation, transfers, and housekeeping.​

  • Identify design features relevant to tritium confinement and contamination control.​

  • Apply best practices for maintaining enclosure integrity and cleanliness.​

Linking Experience to Theory

  • Relate real observations to classroom concepts.

  • Identify lessons learned that inform system design, operations, or research activities.​

  • Demonstrate situational awareness and professional judgment when working in tritium environments.​

Example Schedule

Week 1: Conceptual Classroom Study

Monday

Morning
  • Tritium Fundamentals
Afternoon
  • Tritium Safety & Handling

Tuesday

Morning
  • Regulating Tritium
Afternoon
  • Tritium Technologies & Processes

Wednesday

Morning
  • Tritium Detection & Monitoring
Afternoon
  • Tritium Waste Management

Thursday

Morning
  • Tritium in the Environment
  • Modeling & Simulation
Afternoon
  • Introduction to Fusion

Friday

Morning
  • Fuel Cycles for Fusion Devices
Afternoon
  • Process Simulation for Fusion Fuel Cycles
  • UNITY-2 Operations

Week 2: Hands-On Laboratory Exercises & Training

Monday

Morning
  • Radiation Protection Part 1
Afternoon
  • Radiation Protection Part 2

Tuesday

Morning
  • Radiation Protection Part 3
Afternoon
  • Radiation Protection Field Check Out

Wednesday

Morning
  • Laboratory Exercise 1
Afternoon
  • Laboratory Exercise 2

Thursday

Morning
  • Laboratory Exercise 3
Afternoon
  • Laboratory Demonstration

Friday

Morning
  • End of Program
Afternoon
Questions?

Please contact tritium.academy@ffc.inc

In Collaboration with

To learn more about FFC, please contact us at

For Media & Press

Ottawa Office

7 Bayview Station Road,
Ottawa, Ontario,
K1Y 2C5

Chalk River Office

286 Plant Rd,
Chalk River, Ontario,
K0J 1J0