Safety in tritium handling technology

The use of tritium as a basic fuel material in a thermonuclear fusion reactor raises particular safety issues due to the combined effects of its physico-chemical properties and radioactive nature. Furthermore the possibility of attaining further significant progresses in developing and demonstrating the feasibility of tritium burning devices relies on the handling of tritium macroquantities, say ten grammes, in a safe and reliable manner. It is also undoubted that, apart from technological constraints, any validation and exploitation of thermonuclear fusion as a source of energy will be strongly conditioned by the application of stringent operational and environmental safety criteria as it derives from norms of the modern legislation and public acceptance considerations. The aim of this publication is to illustrate the most prominent safety related aspects associated with the safe operation, maintenance and experimental utilization of a tritium handling facility. Beside the need of safe and reliable systems for tritium containment, monitoring and storage, particular attention is devoted to problems linked with tritium-material interaction and tritium processing. This latter according to the different options applicable both to tritium handling laboratory and future fusion devices. Selected topics such as biological hazard, dosimetry, radiological protection and environmental safety are reviewed with particular attention to implications for operators and general public. Finally outstanding experiences gained during the recent JET operation and after many years of tritiated facilities dismantling at the CEN-Valduc are illustrated. This publication is principally addressed to scientists concerned with tritium inherent R&D activities as well as to designers and operators of tritium handling plants.