Gas mass spectrum analysis of I-127 transmutation targets irradiated by Xi'an pulse reactor

Xe-128 in I-127 transmutation targets irradiated by Xi'an pulse reactor was analyzed by using Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (QMS) to calculate transmutation rate and release rate. Transmutation is an alternative method to transform long-lived toxic radio nuclides to short-lived radio nuclides or stable nuclides. I-127 targets were irradiated in Xi'an Pulse Reactor for the first time to simulate the transmutation behavior of I-129. After irradiation, Xe-128 in the target was determinate with online isotope dilution method by Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (QMS), so that the transmutation rate and release rate could be calculated. Release behaviors of Xe-128 were investigated through melting and step-heated modes. The stepwise heating experiment was done by puncturing method. The result shows the release rate in melting mode is 99.9% (RSD = 1%) and increases with the temperature in stepwise heating mode. The technique proposed in this work is suitable for accurate determination of transmutation rate of I-129.