Figure 4-2. Secondary containment

DOE-HDBK-1129-99

FIGURE 4-2. Secondary containment

be enclosed in gloveboxes. The box gives access to the primary containers for ease of operation

and maintenance. The leak rate of a glovebox can generally be certified to be no more than 10-3 to

10-4 cm3 He/s. Tritium permeation and diffusion through the elastomeric seals and gloves is

reasonably well known, and the tritium released from the glovebox during a primary container leak

can be accurately estimated.

If tritium is released into the glovebox, the gases in the glovebox are mixed with and dilute the

tritium. The gases leaking from the glovebox are then in the form of tritium mixed with the

glovebox gases.

FIGURE 4-3. Secondary confinement