Removal of tritium from stainless steel type 316 (1) -Effect of Water Vapor-

Tritium distribution in stainless steel type 316 exposed to tritium-containing hydrogen at various temperatures was studied. Sub-surface layer of approx. 20μm thickness enriched with tritium was observed for all samples. This layer contributes 20% to 40% to overall tritium inventory. Thermal desorption study reveals that majority of tritium released from the contaminated steel is in a form of water. Several method of decontamination, such as purge with various gases at elevated temperatures and heating with methane-air flame, were tested. Heating with flame allows removal of largest fraction of tritium inventory and in shortest period of time among the tested decontamination methods