Tritium handling and processing experience at the Tritium Systems Test Assembly

In 1987 the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI) and the US Department of Energy (DOE) signed a collaborative agreement for the joint funding and operation of the Tritium Systems Test Assembly (TSTA) at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. This collaboration has continued through June 1994. During this seven year period the TSTA team has conducted many tritium experiments. These included a number of integrated process loop tests, as well as many off-line, stand-alone experiments to develop, test and validate new components and technologies for tritium service. The TSTA process loop has been operated in continuous mode for periods up to 25 consecutive days, and many loop experiments of shorter duration have been performed. In addition, a number of technical developments and component/system demonstrations have been accomplished. These tests have included development and evaluating of fuel cleanup systems and hydrogen isotope separation systems that are now available for consideration for ITER. This paper highlights some of the major accomplishments of this seven year collaboration.