STEADY-STATE SIMULATION OF A TSTA COLUMN BY MEANS OF A MASS-TRANSFER MODEL

The simulation of the units for hydrogen isotope separation by cryogen ic distillation with packed columns can be carried out with a very eff icient tool, based on a non equilibrium model [1]. This new approach e nables a better representation of the physical phenomena involved in t he columns to be obtained and consequently, better accuracy for the tr itium inventory in the whole process. At the TSTA facility, one of mai n systems is the Isotope Separation System (ISS), fitted with an on-li ne laser Raman spectroscopy system : it allows to obtain very accurate composition profiles in the columns, rapidly and safely. Using experi mental data, provided by TSTA, CEA, associated with PROSIM S.A., have carried out calculations on column 1. This study clearly demonstrates: the high efficiency of the experimental device. the good accuracy of the results in comparison with experimental data (composition profiles ). the powerful of the method for design activities.