Preparation of tritiated water, sulfuric acid and trifluoroacetic acid

Abstract

SUMMARYA safe, eficient and inexpensive method for preparing small quantities of tritiated water, sulfuric acid and trifluoroacetic acid is described. The preparation involves introducing the preassayed tritium sample into a carrier gas, 0.5% hydrogen in air, passing over a palladium catalyst heated to 800° C. The resulting tritiated water is gradually eluted from the catalyst and collected in suitable traps.