3H research in the University of Tokyo facilities, (2)

In nuclear fusion reactors and tritium facilities, as the method to remove tritium gas (T2, HT, DT), the catalytic oxidation into steam (T2O, HTO, DTO) and subsequent drying with an adsorbent are promising. The experiments made on the phase of the catalytic oxidation of tritium gas are described with some discussion. HT gas, and H2 at the same time, are generated by the electrolysis of tritiated water. When the concentration in a tank has reached a certain level, the air containing tritium is allowed to flow into a system for investigating the oxidation characteristic of a catalyst. Downstream of this oxidation tower, there is a drying tower of molecular sieve. In both cases of 20% palladium asbestos and copper oxide, the relation between the unreacted fraction and the reciprocal of flow rate is linear. In the case of copper oxide, when the inlet concentration of H2 or HT was varied, the reaction velocity constant is dependent on H2 concentration but independent on HT concentration. (J.P.N.)