COMMENTS ON THE ANALYSIS OF TRITIUM CONTENT IN ELECTROCHEMICAL-CELLS

Expressions are given for the tritium distribution between gas and liq uid phases arising from prolonged electrolysis of D2O on Pd electrodes saturated with absorbed deuterium. Errors associated with commonly em ployed experimental procedures and their interpretation using a simple model for the distribution between the gas and liquid phases are eval uated. With regard to tritium production, an unambiguous resolution re quires a complete mass balance. Conclusions based on partial data, suc h as the measurement of the tritium content in a single cell component (e.g. electrode, electrolyte or ''electrolytic'' gas phase), may be m isleading, particularly if production rates are either low or intermit tent.