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

Abstract

An effective and simple process for the isolation of ¹⁰⁶Ru from high-level liquid wastes was developed. Radioactive ruthenium was oxidized by H ₅IO ₆ in HNO ₃ solution and was extracted to CCl ₄ phase in the form of RuO ₄. In order to obtain ruthenium in the suitable form for production of brachytherapy sources, RuO ₄ 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 %.