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Title: Startup and Operation of a Metal Hydride Based Isotope Separation Process

Conference ·
OSTI ID:42017

Production scale separation of tritium from other hydrogen isotopes at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken, SC, has been accomplished by several methods. These methods include thermal diffusion (1957--1986), fractional absorption (1964--1968), and cryogenic distillation (1967-present). Most recently, the Thermal Cycling Absorption Process (TCAP), a metal hydride based hydrogen isotope separation system, began production in the Replacement Tritium Facility (RTF) on April 9, 1994. TCAP has been in development at the Savannah River Technology Center since 1980. The production startup of this semi-continuous gas chromatographic separation process is a significant accomplishment for the Savannah River Site and was achieved after years of design, development, and testing.

Research Organization:
Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC09-89SR18035
OSTI ID:
42017
Report Number(s):
WSRC-MS-94-0488; CONF-950506-7; ON: DE95060101; TRN: 94T00165
Resource Relation:
Conference: 5. topical meeting on tritium technology in fission, fusion and isotopic applications, Ispra (Italy), 28 May - 3 Jun 1995; Other Information: PBD: 27 Feb 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English