Patent Number: 039986918
Section: claims

1. A process for producing radioactive iodine (I-131) comprising: heating a compound selected from the group consisting of: telluric acid and tellurium trioxide, at a temperature in the range of about 500.degree. to 560.degree. C to obtain a tellurium oxide intermediate having a composition TeO.sub.3.nTeO.sub.2, where n is in the range from about 3.5 to about 4.5,  irradiating said tellurium oxide intermediate with a neutron flux to form I-131 in said intermediate, and  converting the irradiated intermediate to tellurium dioxide by pumping a carrier gas therethrough while heating said irradiated intermediate at a temperature in the range of its decomposition temperature up to about 650.degree. C, thereby releasing said I-131. 2. The process according to claim 1, in which the conversion is effected at a temperature in the range of about 560.degree. - 650.degree. C. 3. The process according to claim 1, in which the irradiation is effected to a degree sufficient to convert a substantial amount of the Te-130 contained in the tellurium oxide intermediate to Te-131. 4. The process according to claim 1, in which the irradiation is effected in a nuclear reactor.