The procedures and facilities necessary for performing endurance tests of hydrophobic catalysts have been designed.

The endurance tests were carried out in real operational conditions using 2 stands with recirculation of tritiated water at constant temperature on catalyst bed. Radio-induced alterations were studied by pH determination and fluoride ion presence in samples of tritiated water. In the polymeric hydrophobic support the radio-induced modifications have been analyzed by FTIR ATR spectrometry and by determination of extractable fractions. The swelling degree has been also estimated. 6 different catalysts on PTFE support and 1 catalyst on copolymer styrene divinylbenzene (SDB) produced by ICIT Rm Valcea have been tested using the proposed protocols and facilities.