Separation and purification of 131I from neutron irradiated tellurium dioxide targets by wet-distillation method

• Published in: Separation and purification technology Vol. 71; no. 1; pp. 1 - 12
• Main Authors: El-Absy, M.A., El-Garhy, M.A., El-Amir, M.A., Fasih, T.W., El-Shahat, M.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: 131I; Acid media; Applied sciences; Catalysis; Catalyst; Catalytic reactions; Chemical composition; Chemical engineering; Chemistry; Concentration (composition); Distillation; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Impurities; Irradiated TeO 2; Irradiation; Oxidant; Purification; Purity; Quality control indices; Reactors; Recovery; Separation; Tellurium dioxide; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Wet-distillation; Acid media; Irradiated TeO 2; Purification; Impurities; Quality control indices; Wet-distillation; Oxidant; 131I; Catalyst; Distillation; Hydrogen peroxide; Impurity; Irradiated TeO; Purity; 131; Additive; Quality control; Chemical composition
• ISSN: 1383-5866; 1873-3794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2009.06.008

Separation and purification of carrier-free 131I by the wet-distillation method from thermal neutron irradiated tellurium dioxide targets along with their Al wrappers in 8N H 2SO 4, HNO 3 and HCl acid solutions containing H 2O 2 and refluxing for 3 h is investigated. The distilled off 131I is absorbed in a mixture solution of NaOH + Na 2S 2O 3 after passing through 0.5N H 2SO 4 acid filter. The corresponding 131I separation factor, recovery yield and percentage trapped in the acid filter and radionuclidic, radiochemical and chemical purity indices and discussions favour the use of H 2SO 4 acid as the distillation medium. The corresponding separation and purification indices of 131I are investigated as a function of chemical composition of the distillation medium (e.g., concentration of H 2SO 4, kind and concentration of the oxidant, the sequence of addition of H 2SO 4/H 2O 2, chemical impurities and catalyst), chemical composition of the acid filter (e.g., concentration of H 2SO 4 and additives such as H 2O 2 and oxalic acid) and radioiodine carrier-gas (e.g., air and nitrogen). By applying the recommended separation and purification procedure, 131I product solution of high separation, recovery and purity indices is obtained.