Startup and Operation of a Metal Hydride Based Isotope Separation Process

Conference · Mon Feb 27 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:42017

Scogin, J H; Poore, A S

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: Westinghouse Savannah River Co., 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
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES
40 CHEMISTRY
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
OPERATION
PROCESS CONTROL
PRODUCTION
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TESTING
TRITIUM