Method for iodine radionuclides separation from primary coolant samples

A method is presented for isolating iodine isotopes from aqueous coolant of the nuclear power plants' first circuit. At first, all forms of iodine radionuclides are converted into molecular form by the sequential addition of a carrier-potassium iodide, as well as hydroxylamine chloride, nitric acid and potassium nitrite. Then molecular iodine is transferred into the gas phase and volatile iodine radionuclides are immobilized on a membrane impregnated with metallic silver. The main advantage of the method is high selectivity of iodine release in relation to radionuclides interfering with the measurement of its activity.

Automated summary

A method is described for isolating iodine isotopes from the aqueous coolant of the first circuit in nuclear power plants. The method involves converting all forms of iodine radionuclides into molecular form, and then transferring the molecular iodine into the gas phase and immobilizing the volatile iodine radionuclides on a silver-impregnated membrane. The method offers high selectivity in releasing iodine in relation to interfering radionuclides.