Disposition of plutonium-239 via production of fission molybdenum-99.
A heritage of physical consequences of the U.S.-Soviet arms race has accumulated, the weapons-grade plutonium (WPu), which will become excess as a result of the dismantlement of the nuclear weapons under the arms reduction agreements. Disposition of Pu has been proposed by mixing WPu with high-level radioactive waste with subsequent vitrification into large, highly radioactive glass logs or fabrication into mixed oxide fuel with subsequent irradiation in existing light water reactors. A potential option may be the production of medical isotope molybdenum-99 by using Pu-239 targets.
Isotope Production Division, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan. muahtaq_a1953@hotmail.com
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Mushtaq