Nonradiometric and radiometric testing of radioiodine sorbents using methyl iodide

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6833939

Wood, G O; Valdez, F O

A nonradiometric test of adsorbents and adsorbers with normal methyl iodide (CH/sub 3//sup 127/I) is desirable. Use of methyl radioiodide (CH/sub 3//sup 131/I) requires special precautions and facilities and results in bed contamination. However, first it must be established to what extent the removal of CH/sub 3//sup 127/I by adsorbents is indicative of the removal of CH/sub 3//sup 131/I. An experimental apparatus was built and used to simultaneously measure the penetrations of CH/sub 3/I molecules and the radioisotope in CH/sub 3//sup 131/I through charcoal absorbent beds. Gas chromatography with electron capture detection was used to measure CH/sub 3/I. Radioiodine was measured using charcoal traps within NaI scintillation well crystals. Real time (5-min interval) radioiodine measurement provided immediate penetration results directly comparable to the real time penetrations of methyl iodide. These penetrations were compared for typical charcoal adsorbents with these impregnants: (a) 5% KI/sub 3/, (b) 5% KI/sub 3/ + 2% TEDA, (c) 5% TEDA, and (d) metal salts (Whetlerite). Differences between CH/sub 3/I and CH/sub 3//sup 131/I penetrations observed for the two iodized charcoals were attributed to isotope exchange reactions. Equivalent penetrations were observed for non-iodized adsorbents and for iodized ones at initial time. First order rates were confirmed for reactions with TEDA and for isotope exchange. This was one more confirmation of the lack of a challenge concentration effect on efficiencies at low test bed loadings. In addition to other removal mechanisms, reversible physical adsorption was observed with all charcoals.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6833939
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-80-2864; CONF-801038-12
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ADSORBENTS
ADSORPTION
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKENES
AMINES
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CHARCOAL
CHROMATOGRAPHY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
ELECTRON-CAPTURE DETECTORS
ELEMENTS
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HYDROCARBONS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
IODATES
IODINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
IODINE 127
IODINE 131
IODINE COMPOUNDS
IODINE ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
ISOTOPIC EXCHANGE
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
METHYL IODIDE
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC IODINE COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIOMETRIC GAGES
SALTS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SORPTION
STABLE ISOTOPES
TESTING