Abstracts and Available Papers Presented at the
2005 International RERTR Meeting

RADIONUCLIDE PURITY OF FISSION MO-99 PRODUCED FROM LEU AND HEU. A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Adrián Durán
Radioisotopes and Radiations Program
National Atomic Energy Commission
Buenos Aires
República Argentina

Abstract

There is a huge concern around the world about the use of highly enriched uranium to operate research reactors and produce radioisotopes including Mo-99. Therefore, the current policies seek to reduce uranium enrichment. Argentina is one of the first countries all over the world that has developed the technology to produce fission Mo-99 from LEU targets, which has been commercially available since 2002. The aim of this work is to compare the radionuclide purity from several batches of fission Mo-99 produced routinely in Argentina from both LEU and HEU. This work characterizes some of the most commonly found contaminants in Mo-99 batches. Results form 28 HEU and 46 LEU batches of fission Mo-99 produced between 2002 (HEU) and 2003 (LEU) are presented. A general improvement in the radionuclide purity after the change from HEU to LEU targets has been observed. Hence, the conclusion is that the radionuclide quality of Mo-99 produced from LEU targets is as good as with HEU ones and even better. It complies with all commercial standards and has excellent acceptance in the Argentine and regional market.

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