Fission-Produced99Mo Without a Nuclear Reactor.
99Mo, the parent of the widely used medical isotope99mTc, is currently produced by irradiation of enriched uranium in nuclear reactors. The supply of this isotope is encumbered by the aging of these reactors and concerns about international transportation and nuclear proliferation.Methods:We report results for the production of99Mo from the accelerator-driven subcritical fission of an aqueous solution containing low enriched uranium. The predominately fast neutrons generated by impinging high-energy electrons onto a tantalum convertor are moderated to thermal energies to increase fission processes. The separation, recovery, and purification of99Mo were demonstrated using a recycled uranyl sulfate solution.Conclusion:The99Mo yield and purity were found to be unaffected by reuse of the previously irradiated and processed uranyl sulfate solution. Results from a 51.8-GBq99Mo production run are presented.
Argonne National Laboratory, Nuclear Engineering Division, Argonne, Illinois youker@anl.gov.
Amanda J
AJ
Youker
Argonne National Laboratory, Nuclear Engineering Division, Argonne, Illinois.
Sergey D
SD
Chemerisov
Argonne National Laboratory, Nuclear Engineering Division, Argonne, Illinois.
Peter
P
Tkac
Argonne National Laboratory, Nuclear Engineering Division, Argonne, Illinois.
Michael
M
Kalensky
Argonne National Laboratory, Nuclear Engineering Division, Argonne, Illinois.
Thad A
TA
Heltemes
Argonne National Laboratory, Nuclear Engineering Division, Argonne, Illinois.
David A
DA
Rotsch
Argonne National Laboratory, Nuclear Engineering Division, Argonne, Illinois.
George F
GF
Vandegrift
Argonne National Laboratory, Nuclear Engineering Division, Argonne, Illinois.
John F
JF
Krebs
Argonne National Laboratory, Nuclear Engineering Division, Argonne, Illinois.
Vakho
V
Makarashvili
Argonne National Laboratory, Nuclear Engineering Division, Argonne, Illinois.
Dominique C
DC
Stepinski
D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007553:Isotope Labeling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008422:Materials Testing; D008982:Molybdenum / Q000737:chemistry*; D009502:Neutrons; D009680:Nuclear Fission; D009688:Nuclear Reactors; D010315:Particle Accelerators / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000737:chemistry*; D011876:Radionuclide Generators / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D017974:Uranium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects
D011868:Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D017974:Uranium Compounds; D008982:Molybdenum
99Mo; accelerator; fission