A Study of the Trapping of Iodine at High Temperatures on Activated Charcoal. Dragon Project Report

An experiment is described for the testing of iodine retention characteristics of pure and metal coated/impregnated charcoal - in connection with the specification of internal fuel element trap filler material for the Dragon reactor. The experimental set-up is briefly outlined and results obtained from runs using pure and 'treated' charcoal discussed. A theory for the mechanism of retention of iodine on pure charcoal at high temperatures is offered. Pure coconut—based charcoal gives a satisfactory performance under similating reactor conditions and is recommended to be used for the fuel element traps in the first fuel charge. (author)