A systematic approach to the design of a large-scale detritiation system for controlled thermonuclear fusion experiments

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Fusion Technology; (United States)

OSTI ID:6822096

Hemmerich, J L ^[1]

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1. JET Joint Undertaking Abingdon, Oxon (United Kingdom)

The most common basic process of air detritiation, which employs oxidation of tritiated gases in a catalytic recombiner and subsequent collection of HTO on molecular sieve dryers, can also be used for a large-scale detritiation system for the next-step deuterium-tritium fusion device. Performance, economy, and reliability can be improved by modifying the design of basic elements, i.e., the recombiners and molecular sieve dryers, and by rearranging them in a system permitting multiple process path choices for optimum performance depending on demand. These improvements should result in a system that is (a) free of secondary tritium release by permeation; (b) economical, with <1 kW power required in a ready-to-operate [open quotes]hot standby[close quotes] condition; (c) capable of reducing inlet humidity of the order of 10 000 ppm (volume) to 0.01 ppm at the outlet by using two adsorber stages in series; and (d) capable of providing the best starting condition for water processing: little or no dilution by H[sub 2]O from isotopic swamping due to the use of two adsorber stages. The system detritiation factor is defined and discussed, and the overriding importance of high water retention efficiency is demonstrated. 4 refs., 5 figs.

• OSTI ID: 6822096
• Journal Information: Fusion Technology; (United States), Journal Name: Fusion Technology; (United States) Vol. 24:2; ISSN 0748-1896; ISSN FUSTE8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700460* -- Fusion Technology-- Heating &amp; Fueling Systems
CATALYSIS
D-T REACTORS
Fu
Fuels-- (1992)
RECOMBINATION
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
TRITIUM RECOVERY