Thermochemical comparison of the effectiveness of protium purging of fusion breeders

The tritium breeders for a fusion reactor, Li/sub 2/0, LiAl0/sub 2/, and Li/sub 4/Si0/sub 4/, are compared on a thermochemical basis in respect to their response to protium purging. Two oxygen activity levels, established by H/sub 2/O:H/sub 2/ ratios of 100: 1 and 1:100 are considered at the temperatures 900 and 1300K. In terms of tritium release (all gaseous forms), LiAl0/sub 2/ is better than Li/sub 2/0 and this in turn better than Li/sub 4/Si0/sub 4/. At 900K, Li/sub 2/0 and LiA10/sub 2/ release more tritium than at 1300K. Li/sub 4/Si0/sub 4/ releases more tritium at 1300K than at 900K.