Zr2Fe and Zr(Mn0.5Fe0.5)2 particle beds for tritium purification and impurity removal in a fusion fuel cycle

Particle beds of Zr(Mn0.5Fe0.5)2 and Zr2Fe are studied for impurity decomposition and hydrogen isotope recovery in a fuel cycle of a nuclear fusion reactor. The Zr(Mn0.5Fe0.5)2 particle bed can decompose methane into hydrogen and a zirconium carbide at temperatures higher than 650°C and water vapor into hydrogen and oxides at temperatures higher than 350°C. Each of the rate constants is correlated to the Arrhenius equation. The Zr2Fe particle bed pretreated with a 6N NaOH solution can recover H2 or D2 in carrier gas down to less than 1 ppm at room temperature.