Absorption of molecular forms of iodine from the gaseous phase by protective paint coatings

Abstract

Under the conditions of an accident, with molecular iodine present in the vapor-gas phase absorption of the molecular iodine by organosilicate coatings and especially by epoxy coatings can play a significant role in keeping the volatile forms of iodine in the containment vessel. At 90–100°C an OS-51-03 coating can absorb about 0.1 µg/cm2 of molecular iodine and epoxy coatings, up to 3 µg/cm2. The area of such coatings in the containment zone can run to tens of thousands of square meters, hence the coatings can absorb up to 550 g of iodine (in the case of coatings of three to five layers). Studies must be carried out, however, on the effect that the presence of water vapor, β and γ radiation, and aging of the coatings affect the efficiency of the absorption and containment of the molecular iodine.