Testing of analytical and purification methods for HTR helium coolant

Abstract The paper describes a method of determination of gaseous impurities (H 2 , O 2 , N 2 , CO, CH 4 , CO 2 ) in high purity helium as well as the methods of gaseous impurities removal. A device used for the determination was the Master GC type gas chromatograph with a helium detection unit and a ShinCarbon ST column. A temperature program was used to improve the conditions of separation and to reach maximum response of the detector. The obtained limits of detection defined as three times the standard deviation of the background value of tested components are H 2 0.3 vppm, O 2 0.4 vppm, N 2 0.2 vppm, CO 2 vppm, CH 4 3 vppm, CO 2 2 vppm. Analysis time is less than 20 min. The developed method will be used for checking the purity of helium environment in the experimental loop to model experimental conditions in the high temperature gas cooled reactor (HTGR). Within the scope of the proposal of the helium purification system, the efficiency of removing selected impurities (CO, CO 2 , CH 4 ) on adsorbents (based on zeolites and active carbon) was tested. A laboratory scale apparatus and an FTIR spectrometer were used for experiments.