Modification, enhancement and operation of a water detritiation facility at the Tritium Laboratory Karlsruhe

Characterisation of a multitube PERMCAT reactor in view of a technical facility for highly tritiated water processing at the Tritium Laboratory Karlsruhe

“…The Combined Electrolysis Catalytic Exchange (CECE) process was chosen for ITER to process at least 20 kg h −1 of tritiated water with mean and maximal specific activity of 0.4 × 10 12 Bq kg −1 and 11.1 × 10 12 Bq kg −1 respectively [1]. This process is already developed and a decontamination factor (DF) of 2.5 × 10 5 was demonstrated at technical scale using the TRENTA facility at TLK [2].…”

Operation and characterization of a Water Detritiation Facility at the Tritium Laboratory Karlsruhe

“…No negative influence on the polymeric membrane performance was observed [8]. The necessary modifications of the commercial electrolyzers for tritium operation included for example the exchange of improper component materials, to seal the system leak-tight, 10 -7 Pam 3 s -1 for water containing parts and 10 -10 Pam 3 s -1 for gas carrying components and to remove the resin beds for water purification from the unit into the caisson for easier access [9]. The electrolyzer units are in operation for more than 4 years.…”

Development of a technical scale PERMCAT reactor for processing of highly tritiated water

“…Options currently under investigation such as the Combined Electrolysis Catalytic Exchange (CECE) process chosen for ITER are able to process tritiated water of a mean specific activity of 0.4·10 12 Bq kg −1 [2] with a decontamination factor (DF) of 2.5·10 5 [2,3]. The additional amount of very highly tritiated water (HTW) of up to 5.2·10 16 Bq kg −1 (expected from torus cleaning and accidental tritium release into a glove box [4]) are to be processed in a short period of time down to an activity concentration compatible with the CECE process.…”