Startup and operation of a metal hydride based isotope separation process

Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Fusion Technology

OSTI ID:196709

Scogin, J H; Poore, A S ^[1]

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1. Westinghouse Savannah River Co., Aiken, SC (United States)

Production scale separation of tritium from other hydrogen isotopes at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken, SC, USA, 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. 2 refs., 4 figs.

• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• OSTI ID: 196709
• Report Number(s): CONF-950506--
• Journal Information: Fusion Technology, Journal Name: Fusion Technology Journal Issue: 3 pt 1 Vol. 28; ISSN 0748-1896; ISSN FUSTE8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES
40 CHEMISTRY
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
DIATOMACEOUS EARTH
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
PLATINUM
PLATINUM HYDRIDES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
THERMAL CYCLING
TRITIUM
USES