Catalyst study for the decontamination of atmospheres containing few traces of tritium

The conversion of tritium at very low activity level using catalytic oxidation followed by water trapping is studied in the loop BEATRICE in order to measure kinetic parameters required for the design of the NET tritium clean-up system. Two precious-metal catalysts (Pd/alumina and Pt/alumina) are very efficient in removing tritium from contaminated gas mixtures down to a few MPC level at low temperatures, without need of isotopic swamping. However at room temperature, the trapping of tritium species on the catalyst surface gives rise to a progressive deactivation with time. Best regeneration conditions have to be determined in order to demonstrate industrial feasibility of operating at low temperatures