Radiolysis of aqueous cesium iodide

In hypothetical accident scenarios for Light Water reactors, the extent of release of iodine upon irradiation needs to be assessed for the purpose of evaluation of the applicable source term. In this context, an understanding of the behaviour of aqueous cesium iodide solutions subjected to high gamma-ray fluxes acquires significant importance. In the present work, gamma radiolysis of a cesium iodide solution (10^–2M I^–) with and without boron additive is investigated by irradiating with⁶⁰Co source at ambient temperature. Upon irradiation of the CsI solution, iodine is liberated, and the concentration of iodide in the KOH trap present in the radiolysis vessel increases with dose. The radiolytic products I ₃ ^– , IO ₃ ^– and H₂O₂ formed in the irradiated solution are also estimated and G values obtained are reported. G(I ₃ ^– ) and G(IO ₃ ^– ) are of the order of 10^–3 and 10^–4, respectively. G(H₂O₂) decreases with increase in dose. Addition of boron up to 200 ppm, does not appear to alter significantly the release fraction of iodine.