Atmospheric Detritiation System Performance

An investigation of the performance of atmospheric detritiation systems and of possible ways for improving their performance was undertaken. Small-scale experiments demonstrated that system performance is strongly dependent on catalyst bed temperature. That may be helped by addition of protium to the process gas stream, but added protium at constant temperature does not increase conversion to HTO. Collection of the HTO on dry sieve with residual HTO fraction of less than one part in 107 was observed. Ways suggested for improvement in collection of HTO on molecular sieve beds include adding H2O to the stream entering the molecular sieve and premoistening of the sieve with H2O. While these improvement schemes may reduce HTO emissions they increase the amount of tritiated waste that must be handled.