Tritium permeation experiment using a tungsten armored divertor-simulating module

A first engineering type experiment for evaluation of tritium permeation rate through a tungsten armored divertor of a DT fusion machine was carried out using tritium plasma experimental (TPE) apparatus under the collaborative program between US-DOE and JAERI. A test module having a multi-layer structure (W:1 mmt, Cu:5 mmt and a cavity containing water pressurized at 2.2 MPa) was exposed to DT (D:T=2:1) plasma. Break-through of tritium permeation into the water was observed after 4 h of plasma exposure. The amount of tritium permeated was compared with permeation rates predicted by numerical simulation codes (TMAP4 and TPERM). Feasibility of the experimental system and procedures to predict the tritium permeation behavior was examined using the simulation codes.