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 106 Ru from high-level liquid wastes was developed. Radioactive ruthenium was oxidized by H 5 IO 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 103 Ru to organic phase was 86 %, re-extraction to aqueous solution was near 100 %, so the overall recovery of 103 Ru is estimated at more than 80 %.