Differences Between the TERF and the ERS Tritium Capture Systems

The TERF and the ERS tritium capture systems are alike in that they both use the “oxidize and dry” principle to remove tritium from gases, but they differ significantly in engineering details. The newer TERF system benefited in many ways from experience with the ERS. The TERF is expected to: 1) operate at a higher pressure, leading to greater throughput, 2) have redesigned reactors with better efficiency to process tritiated organic compounds, 3) have better energy conservation, 4) use an advanced process control system to provide more versatility in operation of the system, to account for the amount of tritium in the system at all times, and to more completely log operating results, 5) utilize more corrosion resistant materials to minimize maintenance, and 6) provide double containment of all pressurized tritium containing equipment to reduce tritium losses and increase operating safety.