Photochemical Abatement of Radioactive Iodines

Abstract

A photochemical method for the removal of radioactive iodines (¹²⁹I and ¹³¹I) from the off-gas streams of nuclear facilities is presented. The method uses ultraviolet radiation (λ=200-300 nm) to decompose the organic iodides present. The iodine atoms and molecules resulting from this photo decomposition, and any other elemental iodine, are then reacted with ozone to form solid iodine oxides that deposit on the walls of the reaction vessel (scrubber). The ozone can be fed into the scrubber from an external source or it can be generated in situ by photolysis of the oxygen in the air using ultraviolet radiation (λ<220 nm).