Low enrichment Mo-99 target development program at ANSTO

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO, formerly AAEC) has been producing fission product Mo-99 in HIFAR, from the irradiation of LEU UO2 targets, for nearly thirty years. Over this period, the U-235 enrichment has been increased in stages, from natural to 1.8% then finally to 2.2%. The decision to provide Australia with a replacement research reactor (RRR) for HIFAR has created an ideal opportunity to review and improve the current Mo-99 production process, right from target design through to chemical processing and waste management. The major focus at this point in time is the development of a LEU target, initially suitable for irradiation in HIFAR and, with subsequent modification, suitable for irradiation in the RRR. We have entered into collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory (RERTR) to develop such a target using uranium metal foil with U-235 enrichment of less than 20%. The first trial irradiation of this target is planned in December 2000 and it will be processed using the current Mo-99 production process at ANSTO. The review of this trial will determine the program for further irradiations.

Keywords

ANSTO, Australian organizations, Molybdenum 99, Uranium 235, Research reactors, HIFAR Reactor, Irradiation

Citation

Donlevy, T. M., Anderson, P. J., Storr, G., Yeoh, G., Beattie, D., Deura, M., Wassink, D., Braddock, B., & Chant, W. (2002). Low enrichment Mo-99 target development program at ANSTO. Paper presented to 23rd International Meeting on Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors (RERTR) was held in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 1-6, 2000. Retrieved from: https://www.rertr.anl.gov/Web2000/Title-Name-Abstract/Donlev00.html

URI

https://apo.ansto.gov.au/handle/10238/15630

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