Installation of Decon facility in preparation for TFTR D-T operations

Abstract

PPPL at present is preparing TFTR for Deuterium-Tritium (D-T) operation. An essential part of this preparation included planning and constructing a facility used for cleaning tritium-contaminated clothing, decontamination, packing of materials, and if necessary the decontamination of personnel. The new Decontamination Facility includes: a laundry area, personnel decontamination shower and changing area; a rad waste materials packaging area, a hot machine shop area for working on and machining of contaminated materials, and a general operational health physics area which includes tritium counting capabilities. This paper will describe the various areas within the Decontamination facility and its capabilities to handle tritium contaminated materials. A series of safeguards are included to protect individuals working in the area. These safeguards include fire/smoke sensors, tritium monitors, low flow ventilation alarms and warning systems associated with the water level in the waste water collection system. There are two ultrasonic cleaning areas within the decontamination facility. One cleaning station will be within an explosive proof room which would be used if flammable liquids such as ethanol are required during ultrasonic cleaning of components. The second ultrasonic station will for water/alconox cleaning of components. This area also includes a water rinse station and a new oven for baking out ultrasonically cleaned components. The Decontamination Facility is located within the tritium boundary and contains a preaction sprinkler system for fire protection and a uninterrupted power supply (UPS). A ventilation system provides a negative pressure atmosphere and the exhaust is routed to the TFTR tritium stack. The facility has its own waste water collection system which allows collected waters to be filtered and tested prior to releasing into the TFTR Liquid Effluent Collection Tanks (LECT).