Tritium permeation through materials for steam generator systems
Mixed-isotope techniques and experimental apparatus have been developed for determining the rates of tritium permeation through metals at high temperatures. These methods are used primarily for observing the permeabilities of tritium through materials for steam generator systems. The techniques include the option of an inert gas or a controlled steam oxidizing atmosphere on the downstream side of the sample. Therefore, effects of surface oxidation and the formation of oxide coatings to impede tritium permeation can be determined. The validity of the method was demonstrated by determining the tritium permeability of nickel and comparing the tritium values with established hydrogen and deuterium permeabilities. The methods were applied in a long-term experiment by measuring tritium permeation through Incoloy 800 at 657$sup 0$C with the downstream side of the sample continuously treated with a 750-torr sweep gas of Ar--H$sub 2$O with the H$sub 2$O partial pressure at 240 torr. Oxidation of the metal to form an oxide coating on the metal was accompanied by a decrease in the tritium permeation by a factor of 160 over a period of 84 days.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
- NSA Number:
- NSA-33-030368
- OSTI ID:
- 4038951
- Journal Information:
- Conf. Remote Syst. Technol., Proc., v. 23, pp. 64-68, Journal Name: Conf. Remote Syst. Technol., Proc., v. 23, pp. 64-68; ISSN CRSTB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Tritium permeation through metals under steam conditions
Tritium permeation through Incoloy 800 oxidized in situ by water vapor
Related Subjects
*INCOLOY 800-- PERMEABILITY
*NICKEL-- PERMEABILITY
*TRITIUM-- DIFFUSION
360603* --Materials--Other Materials--Properties
COATINGS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
LOW PRESSURE
N50230 --Metals
Ceramics
& Other Materials--Metals & Alloys--Properties
Structure & Phase Studies
N50330* --Metals
Ceramics
& Other Materials--Plastics & Other Materials--Properties
Structure & Phase Studies
OXIDES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE