Tritium processing at the Savannah River Site: Present and future

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, A (Vacuum, Surfaces and Films); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.576643· OSTI ID:6799749

Ortman, M S; Heung, L K; Nobile, A; Rabun, III, R L ^[1]

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1. Westinghouse Savannah River Company, Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC (USA)

Tritium handling equipment and methods at the Savannah River Site Tritium Facilities have been continually improved since tritium processing operations began in 1955. Several new technologies were introduced into the Tritium Facilities in the 1980's. One of these is the use of fluidless, mechanical pumps (Normetex and Metal Bellows) to replace mercury pumps. A second is the use of metal hydride technology to store, purify, isotopically separate, pump, and compress hydrogen isotopes. Metal hydrides, such as La--Ni--Al alloys and Pd loaded on kieselguhr, offer significant flexibility and size advantages compared with conventional tritium handling technology, such as gas tanks, thermal diffusion columns, and mechanical compressors. Metal hydrides have been used in the Tritium Facilities since 1984 with the most important application of this technology being planned for the Replacement Tritium Facility, a $140 million facility scheduled for completion in 1990 and startup in 1991.

• DOE Contract Number: AC09-76SR00001
• OSTI ID: 6799749
• Journal Information: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, A (Vacuum, Surfaces and Films); (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, A (Vacuum, Surfaces and Films); (USA) Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 8:3; ISSN JVTAD; ISSN 0734-2101
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
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SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
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US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
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