Overview of R&D at TLK for process and analytical issues on tritium management in breeder blankets of ITER and DEMO

Safe, reliable, and efficient tritium management in the breeder blanket will have to face unprecedented technological challenges. Beside the efficiency for tritium recovery from the breeder blanket (Tritium Extraction (TES) and Coolant Purification Systems (CPS)), the accuracy for tritium tracking between the inner and the outer fuel cycle must also be demonstrated. This paper focuses on the recent R&D carried out at the Tritium Laboratory Karlsruhe to tackle these issues. For ITER, the recently consolidated TES and CPS designs comprise adsorption columns and getter beds operated in semi-continuous mode. Different approaches for the tritium accountancy stage (TAS) have been evaluated. Balancing static (batch-wise gas collection at the TBM outlets and the tritium plant) or dynamic (in/on-line) approaches with respect to the expected analytical performances and integration issues, the first conceptual design of the TAS for EU TBMs is presented. For DEMO, the overall strategy for tritium recovery and tracking has been revisited. The necessity for on-line real-time tritium accountancy and improved process efficiency suggest the use of continuous processes such as permeator and catalytic membrane reactor. The main benefits combining the PERMCAT process with advanced membranes is discussed with respect to process improvements and facilitated accountancy using spectroscopic methods.     

Characterization of individual aerosol particles from the eruption of Lonquimay volcano in Chile

A set of aerosol samples collected during major volcanic activities around the Chilean site Lonquimay in the years 1988–1990 has been subjected to measurements in conventional and microPIXE modes in the Debrecen institute. The aim of the study was the completion of the earlier results with comparative PIXE data and microPIXE measurements for the characterization of individual particles. Results have been obtained on separate particles in terms of their elemental composition, on separate particle groups of different composition by statistical dissimilarity analysis. Si/Al and K/Si elemental ratios have been used for a comparison with published data from other volcanic locations.     

The influence of the charged back side on the transmission of highly charged ions through PC nanocapillaries

We have measured the fraction of the ions transmitted through nanocapillaries with their initial charge state for 200 keV Xe⁷⁺ ions impact on a polycarbonate (PC) foil with a thickness of 30 μm and a diameter of 150 nm. An Au film was evaporated on both the front and back side. It is found that more than 97% of the transmitted ions remain in their initial charge state. Then, the transmitted ion fraction and the characteristic tilt angle of 40 keV Xe⁷⁺ ions through this foil and another one with the same thickness and diameter, but evaporated by Au only on the front side, were measured. By comparing the results of these two foils, the influence of the ions deposited in the capillary exit region on the transmitted ion fraction and the characteristic tilt angle is studied. In comparison with the foil evaporated by Au on both sides, the maximum transmitted ion fraction of the foil evaporated by Au on the front side only is nearly 4 times smaller. Also, the characteristic tilt angle is slightly decreased. These results are discussed within the models for the guiding effect.     

Relation Between Texture and Quality Characteristics of Rolled Stock and Control of Continuous Plastic Deformation

Metal Science and Heat Treatment - The relation between the texture parameters suggested earlier for controlling the properties under heat treatment and the quality characteristics of deformable...     

Determination of the Shear Strength of Soil Along the Lateral Surface of Driven Piles in Numerical Investigations

Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering - We present the results of full-scale and numerical investigations of piles driven and impressed in clay soils. We propose a procedure of application of...     

Field-Emission Cathodes Based on Microchannel Plates

Semiconductors - The existing methods of fabricating low-field cathodes do not permit the development of device structures that comply with the requirements of developers of systems. In this work,...     

Influence of Electric Field on the Activation Energy of Local Levels in Semiconductors with Layered (GaSe) and Cubic (Ga2Se3) Structures

Semiconductors - The results of measuring the electrical conductivity of layered crystals (GaSe, GaTe, and their solid solutions) and cubic crystals (Ga2Se3) in strong electric fields (up to 5...     

Effective Bi–Sb Crystals for Thermoelectric Cooling at Temperatures of T ≲ 180 K

Semiconductors - Extrusion methods have become widespread in the fabrication technology of thermoelectric materials with high strength characteristics. The extrusion method of thermoelectric...