Tritium handling safety and operating experience at the Tritium Systems Test Assembly

The Tritium Systems Test Assembly (TSTA) is designed to develop and demonstrate, in full scale, technologies necessary for safe and efficient operation of tokamak fusion reactors. The TSTA currently consists of systems for pumping DT gas mixtures for removing impurities; for separating the isotopes of hydrogen; for storage of hydrogen isotopes; for gas analysis; and for assuring safety by the necessary control, monitoring, and detritiation of effluent gaseous streams. TSTA also has several small-scale experiments to develop and test new equipment and processes necessary for fusion reactors. Data on component reliability, failure types and rates, and waste quantities are presented. Operational experience under normal, abnormal, and emergency conditions is presented. The DOE (US Department of Energy) requirements for the operation of a tritium facility like TSTA include specifications on personnel training, emergency preparedness radiation protection, safety analysis, and preoperational appraisals.<>