APT target blanket module fabrication and characterization of prototypicalassemblies

Practical aspects of producing tritium with a linear accelerator were studi ed recently as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Accelerator Producti on of Tritium program. The concept uses the neutrons produced by an energet ic accelerator beam striking target material, to convert He-3 gas to tritiu m. Design requirements for the medullar assemblies that surround the target posed some challenges in fabrication. Small-scale modules fabricated for a ccelerator tests were followed by production-scale modules, built to identi fy preferred fabrication and assembly processes. Casting, used successfully in the small modules, displayed distinct disadvantages with production-sca le parts, and was replaced by extrusion. Machining and welding were minimiz ed, extrusion was incorporated for lead cores and aluminum housings, and th e modules were assembled manually. Two prototypical production-scale blanke t modules and one tritium production module were fabricated to demonstrate the recommended techniques. (C) 1999 Westinghouse Savannah River Company. P ublished by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.