SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1989
STP22887S

Solubility and Stability of Inorganic Iodides: Candidate Waste Forms for Iodine-129

Source

Iodine-129 and carbon-14 are of lesser importance than many other radionuclides in nuclear waste management because of their relatively low radiotoxicity. Their safe immobilization and disposal, however, is a significant challenge because their chemical properties are quite different from most other components of nuclear fuel waste. The authors have sought thermodynamically defensible inorganic waste forms for both of these radioisotopes.

This paper discusses the stability and solubility of inorganic iodides as they relate to the selection of a waste form for iodine-129. The best candidates appear to be silver iodide (AgI), either alone or in combination with silver chloride (AgCl), and a combination of Bi5O7I and Bi2O3. Neither is completely satisfactory. The principal drawback of AgI is its relative ease of reduction. High chloride concentrations also increase the solubility of Agl, but it is insensitive to carbonate. The main disadvantage of bismuth oxyiodide is its susceptibility to displacement reactions with dissolved chloride and carbonate; also, it is unstable under strongly reducing conditions.

Author Information

Taylor, P
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment, Pinawa, MB, Canada
Lopata, VJ
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment, Pinawa, MB, Canada
Wood, DD
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment, Pinawa, MB, Canada
Yacyshyn, H
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment, Pinawa, MB, Canada
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Details
Developed by Committee: D34
Pages: 287–301
DOI: 10.1520/STP22887S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5090-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-1261-2