Definition of the Q-PETE experiment for investigation of hydrogen isotopes permeation through the metal structures of a DEMO HCPB breeder zone

The Q-PETE (Hydrogen Permeation and Transport Experiment) at KIT is set up to investigate hydrogen isotopes permeation through structural materials with specific relevance to the HCPB (helium cooled pebble bed) DEMO blanket breeder zone. The results are intended to provide validation data for simulation codes. A second objective is the direct determination of material data. In the first stage deuterium permeation through a Eurofer membrane will be studied using a mass spectrometry method. This paper describes the definition, the design development, the experimental setup and the characterization of the mass spectroscopy method foreseen for the Q-PETE experiment. The permeator setup was designed taking into account results from uncertainty optimization efforts and manufacturing aspects. Based on the decided geometry, engineering analyses concerning thermal responses and tritium transport were performed. The aim of the characterization of the mass spectroscopy method is to provide a proper foundation for the uncertainty analyses, as well as to optimize the technique. The noise level was related to relevant spectrometer operation parameters. On this basis measures to reduce the background level for the deuterium concentration by a factor of 5 could be found and implemented to the spectrometer analysis procedure.