Control of tritium in LMFBR sodium by cold trapping

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7359528

McPheeters, C C; Raue, D

Control of tritium in the sodium coolant of LMFBRs is important for achieving as low as practicable release of radioactivity. Cold-trapping has been shown to be an effective method for controlling hydrogen in sodium and should be effective for controlling tritium as well. Two mechanisms for removal of tritium from sodium have been studied: (1) coprecipitation of hydrogen and tritium from solution in sodium in a cold trap and (2) isotopic exchange of tritium in sodium with hydrogen in solid NaH in a cold trap. Mathematical models have been developed to describe the two mechanisms and experimental runs have been made to determine their relative effectiveness. These experiments, together with the models, have indicated that the coprecipitation mechanism is, as expected, much more effective in removing tritium from sodium than the isotopic exchange mechanism. The model was used to calculate tritium levels in the EBR-II primary system, and agreement with measured levels was achieved within a factor of three. The isotopic exchange mechanism by itself cannot be expected to adequately control tritium in LMFBRs. Hydrogen sources such as corrosion in the steam generators will be important factors in controlling the tritium level.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., Ill. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 7359528
• Report Number(s): CONF-760503-3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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