The Hidden Key.
Enriched lithium is a fundamental element for next-generation nuclear energy—integral to both fusion fuel cycles and advanced reactor cooling. Advancing lithium isotope separation technologies and building secure supply chains are critical to unlocking the full potential of fusion and modern fission infrastructures.
The Enrichment Challenge
Historically, lithium isotope separation relied on COLEX (column exchange), a mercury-based process now banned for environmental reasons. Today, the industry is pivoting to cleaner, scalable methods:
- AVLIS (Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation): Laser-based enrichment with high precision.
- Electrochemical Separation: Mercury-free, using advanced materials like zeta-V₂O₅ for isotope selectivity.
Companies like Hexium are investing in these technologies to secure supply chains for future nuclear and fusion projects.
Why Lithium Matters in Next-Generation Energy
As the world accelerates toward clean energy solutions, enriched lithium is emerging as a critical enabler for both advanced nuclear reactors and fusion power plants. Its unique isotopes—Lithium-6 (Li-6) and Lithium-7 (Li-7)—play distinct roles in fuelling innovation and ensuring operational safety.
Lithium-6: Powering Fusion Through Tritium Breeding
Fusion energy promises limitless, carbon-free power, but it hinges on one scarce resource: tritium. Tritium doesn’t occur naturally in significant quantities, so fusion reactors must breed it internally. This is where Li-6 steps in:
- Tritium Production: Li-6 reacts with high-energy neutrons inside breeder blankets to produce tritium and helium.
- Essential for Self-Sufficiency: Without Li-6, fusion plants cannot sustain their fuel cycle.
- Scale of Demand: A single demonstration fusion plant may require 10–100 tonnes of enriched Li-6, while commercial-scale reactors could need hundreds of tonnes.
Lithium-7: Supporting Advanced Fission Reactors
Li-7 is equally vital for advanced fission technologies, particularly Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) and Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs):
- Coolant Chemistry: Li-7 maintains stable pH in reactor coolants, preventing corrosion and ensuring safety.
- Molten Salt Reactors: Li-7-enriched salts act as heat transfer media and neutron moderators, enabling high-efficiency designs.
New career pathways are opening up in the nuclear industry. We are passionate that industry and educational institutions collaborate more to ensure people know about emerging careers while we are also working towards meeting future demands.
