The Development of Tritium Technology cont'd

DOE-HDBK-1132-99

pushed out into the environment by the exhaust fans through an elevated

stack. From the perspective of the worker, individual airflow requirements were

segmented-- major tritium handling systems were enclosed in high velocity air

hoods; work was performed through gloves in the ventilated hood enclosure

doors, or through accessible hood openings. The high air velocity hoods were

maintained at a pressure that was negative with respect to the surrounding

room spaces; most importantly, any tritium releases that occurred due to

normal operations, component failure, and/or operator error would occur inside

the hoods. The high-velocity air flowing through the building, and then through

the hoods, would sweep any released tritium away from the worker.

Although this combination of single-pass ventilation systems and high air

velocity hoods was used quite extensively-- and quite successfully-- for basic

worker protection, the protection of personnel living or working downwind was

dependent on the massive dilution factors that could be gained by the use of

such systems.

By the end of the first decade, it gradually became obvious that the protection

of personnel living or working downwind could no longer remain dependent on

massive dilution factors. In their initial attempts at controlling tritium releases, a

newer generation of tritium design personnel developed a plan to control

releases by tightening design controls and material selection requirements.

After only a few years, however, it also became obvious that the techniques

developed, although helpful, would not be completely successful. While many

valuable lessons were learned, tritium releases continued to occur despite

more stringent design, material, and performance requirements.

By the late 1960s and early 1970s, it finally became obvious that a more

realistic tritium operating philosophy would have to be developed, one that

would not only protect the worker, but would also substantially increase the

basic protection of the public and the environment.

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