Operation of the Tritium Process Laboratory (TPL) in the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute

The Tritium Process Laboratory (TPL) was constructed for the research and development of the fusion reactor fuel processing system and safe handling technology of a large amount of tritium. The total tritium inventory in the facility is 16 g, and each experiment will be conducted with grams of tritium. The facility has been in operation with tritium since early 1988. No major tritium release or personnel doses have occurred. Experience handling tritium is being acquired. The tritium handling facility design is presented. Tritium loading, operation of glove boxes, regeneration of the molecular-sieve beds, and the release of tritium from the stack of the TPL are described