Operating experience and procedures at the tritium systems test assembly

The Tritium Systems Test Assembly (TSTA), located at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, is a prototype fusion reactor tritium fuel reprocessing system. It was built for the demonstration of tritium handling systems necessary for tritium-burning fusion reactors. Operating procedures are important for the safe and efficient operation of the TSTA. TSTA has been operating for four years with tritium in a safe and efficient manner. The inventory of tritium in the process loop is 100 grams and several milestone runs have been completed. This paper describes the methods used to operate TSTA.