Thermochemical Comparison of the Effectiveness of Protium Purging of Fusion Breeders

The tritium breeders for a fusion reactor, Li₂O, LiAlO₂, and Li₄SiO₄, are compared on a thermochemical basis in respect to their response to protium purging. Two oxygen activity levels, established by H₂O:H₂ ratios of 100: 1 and 1:100 are considered at the temperatures 900 and 1300K. In terms of tritium release (all gaseous forms), LiAlO₂ is better than Li₂O and this in turn better than Li₄SiO₄. At 900K, Li₂O and LiAlO₂ release more tritium than at 1300K. Li₄SiO₄ releases more tritium at 1300K than at 900K.