Feasibility of D-D start-up under realistic technological assumptions for EU-DEMO

Abstract One of the main issues in view of the realization of a DEMOnstration fusion reactor is the availability of a sufficient external supply of tritium (T) to start operation. T is an unstable nuclide, which is almost absent in nature and is currently available as by-product in e.g. CANDU, whose operation in the next decades (both in terms of life extension of existing reactors and construction of new ones) is at the moment under debate. During DEMO operation, T will be generated on-site by breeding blanket, employing the neutrons originating from D-T reaction. However, it is considered that a certain initial amount of T is needed to start operation, the so-called start-up inventory. An…