Solid solubility of hydrogen in Pb83Li17 alloy: A preliminary investigation

Lead–lithium alloy Pb83Li17 (0.6 wt.% lithium) is a potential candidate to be used as a neutron multiplier, tritium (fuel) breeder and heat transfer agent (coolant) in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Test Reactor (ITER). The tritium produced in the alloy could be soluble in the alloy or appear as a new phase. During reactor shut down condition, Pb83Li17 will be solidified and stored in a storage tank. Investigation on the solubility of tritium in solid Pb83Li17 is essential to quantify the trapped tritium in solid Pb83Li17 alloy to estimate the extent of radioactive contamination (with respect to tritium) and valuable tritium loss. Tritium being the isotope of hydrogen behaves more or less similar to hydrogen. In the present study solid-solubility of hydrogen in Pb83Li17 alloy has been investigated as a function of temperature and pressure. It was found that the hydrogen solubility increases with temperature (373–473 K) and follows the Sieverts law. Hydrogen solution enthalpy has been calculated using Seiverts constant and found to be −4.81 kJ/mole of hydrogen.