Separation of fission produced 106Ru from simulated high level nuclear wastes for production of brachytherapy sources

An effective and simple process for the isolation of ¹⁰⁶Ru from high-level liquid wastes was developed. Radioactive ruthenium was oxidized by H₅IO₆ in HNO₃ solution and was extracted to CCl₄ phase in the form of RuO₄. In order to obtain ruthenium in the suitable form for production of brachytherapy sources, RuO₄ in organic phase was reduced and re-extracted to aqueous phase. The efficiency of extraction of ¹⁰³Ru to organic phase was 86 %, re-extraction to aqueous solution was near 100 %, so the overall recovery of ¹⁰³Ru is estimated at more than 80 %.