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Title: Helium leak detection in JET in the presence of high deuterium partial pressure

Journal Article · · J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.574402· OSTI ID:6342625

Leak detection in JET (--200 m/sup 3/ volume, --8000 m length of welds, --300 bolted vacuum connections, base pressure at room temperature 2 x 10/sup -9/ mbar) had originally been based on the use of helium (/sup 4/He) as a tracer gas. Later, high deuterium (D/sub 2/) partial pressures due to D/sub 2/ plasma operation made high-sensitivity leak testing by standard methods with /sup 4/He impossible; hence, alternative methods had to be developed. This eventually led to the use of a high-resolution Omegatron mass spectrometer able to separate D/sub 2/ and /sup 4/He. Additional compression and selective pumping provides a sensitivity of 10/sup -9/ mbar l s/sup -1/. The advantages of the Omegatron system compared with other alternative methods will be presented. The use of a fully tritium compatible Omegatron in conjunction with --400 tracer gas tubes during the active phase leak detection will be discussed.

Research Organization:
JET Joint Undertaking, Abingdon, OX14 3EA, United Kingdom
OSTI ID:
6342625
Journal Information:
J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A; (United States), Vol. 5:4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English