Design, construction, commissioning, licensing and future operational aspects of the European Tritium Handling Experimental Laboratory

The European Tritium Handling Experimental Laboratory (ETHEL) is a major new tritium research facility foreseen to commence operations in late 1992. The laboratory occupies a volume of approximately 13000 m3 and can host a total staff of about 25. It is envisaged to be licensed for 37 PBq (1 MCi or 100 g) of tritium. The present paper illustrates the design and construction of the laboratory and elaborates the applicable commissioning and licensing procedures. Finally, the future operational structure of the laboratory is presented.