Tritium permeation experiments; design choices and appropriateness to fusion application research

Abstract

Tritium permeation is expected to be a major challenge in many locations in the fuel cycle of future fusion reactors. Countless permeation experiments have been performed trying to address this issue, each with their own characteristics including experimental conditions created, materials used, and detection methods employed. This paper reports the main outcomes of these past investigations, categorising them by their mode of operation rather than by the materials studied. The limitations of scientific experiments in recreating future conditions in fusion fuel cycles, and efforts to decrease this discrepancy, are discussed. Factors to consider when designing a permeation experiment and how these decisions affect the measurements that can be obtained are considered.