Pyrochemical Extraction of Polonium from Irradiated Bismuth Metal

Alkaline extraction of polonium from liquid lead bismuth eutectic

“…Compared to the inert gases, a clearly lower extraction ratio of %20% was found for O 2 and air, which is in agreement with earlier works [13,15] on the extraction of polonium from Bi and tellurium from LBE. No significant difference in Po extraction ratios could be measured between both gases within the limits of error.…”

“…Different explanations of this effect have been given in literature. In a report on the extraction of polonium from irradiated bismuth [13], the authors suggest that the presence of an oxide layer between the metallic and hydroxide phase inhibits the polonium transfer process in the presence of oxygen. In a paper on the kinetics of lead refining [22], the formation of a solid Na 2 SnO 3 layer at the interface is discussed.…”

“…This technique was later proposed for a large-scale 210 Po production needed for thermoelectric power generators within aerospace projects [13,14]. The main scientific outcome of these studies confirmed the possibility of almost completely extracting polonium from irradiated bismuth metal at temperatures around 400-500°C if the presence of oxygen is avoided.…”