Airborne Radioiodine in the Containment, with Special Reference to Methyl Iodide

Abstract

The sources, chemical forms and behaviour of iodine in the reactor containment are reviewed. The case of interest is that in which the cladding material of the fuel fails and iodine is emitted. Particular attention is given to the physical and chemical processes by which penetrating iodine species are produced, to their radioactive decay, to their chemical and transport behaviour within the containment and to their ultimate release to the environment. It is then possible to determine the requirements for the containment safety systems so as to meet ultimate release limitations.