Solution 1 · Tritium
Supercritical’s electrochemical platform, applied to tritiated water: an all-metal, polymer-free electrolyser for detritiation and tritium recovery.
The challenge
Worldwide, held almost entirely as a by-product of CANDU fission reactors.
After 10 half-lives (123 years), tritium effectively becomes helium-3, a stable, non-radioactive gas.
burned per GW of fusion power per year; a plant may need up to 10 kg to start up.
1. UK Atomic Energy Authority (2026), global tritium inventory · 2. Science / AAAS (2026), tritium supply and decay · 3. UK Government (March 2026), UK fusion strategy
Why it matters
A fusion power plant is a system of systems, each as critical as the next. Water detritiation is the one that captures what the others lose.
Supercritical’s water electrolyser is uniquely capable of withstanding the challenges of tritium due to its polymer-free design.
Tritium escapes through metal walls; the water detritiation system recovers it.
Captures tritium in exhaust, cooling fluids and atmosphere.
Capturing it as tritiated water is crucial for sustainable operation.
Uncontrolled losses are not an option, through life and at end of life.
The weak point
| Incumbent CECE front end | Supercritical Platform | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrolyser | PEM or solid-polymer membrane with polymer gaskets | Membraneless, all-metal electrode assembly |
| Tritium loss | Polymer absorbs tritium and degrades | No polymer to absorb it |
| Toxic by-product | HF from fluorinated polymer at end of life | No fluorides or halides: no HF. Safer end of life. |
| Durability evidence | Documented failure mode in tritium service | 30,000+ hours of platform operating data on the same cell design |
Where it fits
Combined electrolysis and catalytic exchange (CECE) is the established route to detritiation. We supply the electrolyser and support systems, whilst working with fusion system developer partners.
What makes us different
Built on the existing membraneless CellBlock platform: modular and scalable.
No hydrogen fluoride (HF) risk in service or at end of life.
Closed loop keeps tritium losses to a minimum.
All-metal and ceramic design.
Double-walled module captures escaping molecules.
Capable of fitting a wide range of system operating conditions.
Work with us
Fusion developers, nuclear operators and detritiation integrators. Talk to us.
Get in touch