Long-term performance of atmospheric-detritiation dryers

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

OSTI ID:196808

Allsop, P J ^[1]; Barfoot, C C ^[2]

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1. AECL, Chalk River, Ontario (Canada)
2. NB Power, New Brunswick (Canada)

Point Lepreau Generating Station uses nine desiccant dryers to control airborne heavy water and tritium. Ranging in size from 1,000 m{sup 3}/h to 6,800 m{sup 3}/h, the majority are single-bed, cocurrent-regenerated units filled with 13X or 4A molecular sieve. These dryers have operated almost continuously for 12 yrs without a significant breakdown. During the last thirteen years, their availability has exceeded 99% and they have routinely dried air to a dew-point temperature <= -60{degree}C. Tritium emissions from the dried areas in the reactor building remain a small fraction of the tritium releases into the reactor building. The keys to the success of this detriation system are the mechanical simplicity of the dryers, the versatility of the ventilation system, a comprehensive preventive-maintenance program, and an advanced control system unique to Point Lepreau. 2 refs., 7 figs., 3 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 196808
• Report Number(s): CONF-950506--
• Journal Information: Fusion Technology, Journal Name: Fusion Technology Journal Issue: 3 pt 2 Vol. 28; ISSN 0748-1896; ISSN FUSTE8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
CANDU TYPE REACTORS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DECONTAMINATION
DRYERS
HEAVY WATER
MAINTENANCE
NUMERICAL DATA
PERFORMANCE
PWR TYPE REACTORS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
TRITIUM