Method of Sampling Tritiated Vapors from Gas Phase Using Phase Isotopic Exchange Method

Abstract

A new method of sampling tritiated vapors (TV) from gas phase is developed on the basis of the phase isotopic exchange (PhIE) of water. Theoretical foundations of the PhIE process are described. Experimental results of gas sampling (100- and 40% relative humidity) demonstrate high accuracy of the method. Thus, the difference between tritium concentrations in the model mixture and experimentally measured value is 2 - 3%, regardless of the initial parameters of the test gas. The proposed method is more informative compared to bubbling through the liquid, and provides tracing changes in TV concentration in the tested gas. High capture performance eliminates the leakage of tritium, whereas a small degree of flow dilution can improve the accuracy of measuring low tritium concentrations.