PNNL

Abstract

Dehalogenation reactions using phosphate reactants can be used to remove halides from salt-based wastes. The byproducts are fairly consistent across the range of halide species (i.e., F, Cl, Br, I) where the most common are hydrogen halides [e.g., HCl(g)] or ammonium halides (e.g., NH4Cl). However, for iodine-based salts, additional nitrogen-containing byproducts can also form that include nitrogen triiodide (NI3), nitrogen triiodide ammine (NI3-NH3), and ammonium triiodide (NH4I3). Both NI3 and NH4I3 are considered to be shock-sensitive contact explosives so their production in these processes must be tracked and carefully controlled, which includes methods of immediate neutralization, e.g., through the use of a caustic scrubber.