Tritium control techniques in ITER by ammonia injection

A technique based on ammonia injection in the afterglow region of the divertor plasma is proposed for the inhibition of tritium/carbon co-deposits in remote areas of ITER when operated with carbon-based divertor targets. Supporting experiments in the PILOT-PSI divertor simulator plasma device and in a RF methane plasma with afterglow ammonia injection are described. The potential of ammonia glow discharges for the removal of carbon layer in easy to reach areas and in gaps is also addressed, thus opening the possibility of an integrated tritium control scenario with water-free chemical products in carbon-based divertor operation during the active phase of ITER. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.