Water chemistry control for the target/blanket region of the Accelerator Production of Tritium

High-energy particle interactions in the various components of the target/b lanket region of the Accelerator Production of Tritium lead to heat generat ion and deposition Heavy-water and light-water systems are used to cool the target/blanket system and associated equipment. Structural materials inclu de Inconel alloy 718, aluminum-clad lead rods, aluminum tubes containing he lium-3 and tritium gas, and stainless steel components. Proper coolant chem istry is required to maximize neutron production, minimize corrosion of com ponents, and minimize activity buildup. Corrosion-related phenomena and dev elopment of coolant and moderator corrosion control for both power and defe nse fission reactors has been studied extensively over the past 50 years. L ess is known, however, about cooling systems for accelerators where a varie ty of transient chemical species and spallation products may be formed. The following provides a discussion on the issues that need to be addressed fo r proper water chemistry control for the APT system. (C) 1999 Westinghouse Savannah River Company. Published by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reser ved.