Safety analysis of potential loss of vacuum incident in JET

During plasma discharges, the graphite first-wall tiles of the JET (Joint European Torus) will be subjected to high thermal fluxes and consequent high temperatures. Accidental loss of vacuum through air inleakage in such a situation could cause graphite oxidation and concomitant energy input to the inleaking gas. The JET Exhaust Detritiation System (EDS) is designed to prevent the escape of tritiated gases and activated or toxic dust from the torus by pumping the breached torus to maintain a slightly subatmospheric pressure. A safety analysis is presented to verify that the design pumping capacity of the EDS is adequate to address the peak graphite oxidation rates envisaged during a potential air inleakage incident with hot graphite in the JET