Comparison and Evaluation of Various Tritium Decontamination Techniques and Processes
Authors: C.A. Gentile, S.W. Langish, C.H. Skinner, and L.P. Ciebiera
Date of PPPL Report: September 2004
Presented at: the Seventh International Conference on Tritium Science and Technology, 12 - 17 September 2004, Baden-Baden, Germany.
In support of fusion energy development, various techniques and processes have been developed over the past two decades for the removal and decontamination of tritium from a variety of items, surfaces, and components. Tritium decontamination, by chemical, physical, mechanical, or a combination of these methods, is driven by two underlying motivational forces. The first of these motivational forces is safety. Safety is paramount to the established culture associated with fusion energy. The second of these motivational forces is cost. In all aspects, less tritium contamination equals lower operational and disposal costs. This paper will discuss and evaluate the various processes employed for tritium removal and decontamination.