The properties of some zirconium-based gettering alloys for hydrogen isotope storage and purification

Abstract

Abstract Non-volatile getter alloys, which have been extensively used for a long time in the traditional field of vacuum technology, have recently been proposed for more advanced applications related to plasma physics, controlled nuclear fusion and general tritium-handling systems. Heat pumps and hydrogen storage devices, where pure hydrogen must be used, may also need purification systems based on these gettering alloys. Some zirconium-based alloys, which are commercially available with different compositions, are good candidates for getter materials in such applications. The equilibrium laws which govern the solution of the hydrogenic species in these alloys up to gas concentrations higher than those usually involved in vacuum applications have been investigated and are discussed together with the main physicochemical properties of the alloys.