the iaea coordinated research project molybdenum-99 production using leu fission or neutron...
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The IAEA Coordinated Research ProjectMolybdenum-99 Production Using LEU Fission or
Neutron Activation (T1.20.18)
Ira N. Goldman, Natesan Ramamoorthy, Pablo Adelfang
International Atomic Energy Agency
2006 RERTR International Meeting
29 October - 3 November 2006
Cape Town, South Africa
CRP on Mo99 Production LEU / NA
Background
• Most Mo99 is currently produced with HEU.• Efforts to shift production of medical isotopes away
from use of HEU (thru RERTR). • Some member states are seeking to become small
scale, indigenous producers of Mo99 • Encourage and provide access to LEU technology
or neutron activation (NA) methods as HEU no longer available or accepted.
CRP on Mo99 Production LEU / NA
CRP
• CRPs: research institutes in developing and developed Member States collaborate.
• Encourage dissemination of new knowledge involving nuclear/isotopic techniques.
• IAEA acts as sponsoring and coordinating body for research carried out by selected institutions.
• 4000 Euro per contract per year and support for participation in RCM.
• Additional training activities as EB funds permit.
CRP on Mo99 Production LEU / NA
History
• November 2004 - Consultants Meeting
• February 2005 - CRP approved
• May 2005 - Potential Mo99 Producer’s Workshop, Buenos Aires
• September 2005 – Contracts/Agreements approved
• December 2005 – 1st Research Coordination Meeting, Vienna
• March 2006 – Foil Targets Workshop, Serpong, Indonesia
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU / NA
Objectives
• Assist member states with adoption of LEU Cintichem (foil targets) or neutron activation (gel moly) technology.
• Further demonstrate efficacy of LEU production of Mo99
• Advance intl non-proliferation and nuclear security objectives, promote sustainable development.
• Foster capacity building for local/regional self-sufficiency to meet Mo99 needs
• NOT aimed at existing large-scale producers (but they are participating/contributing)
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU / NA
Purpose
• Assist recipients to research, test, and evaluate:
- LEU modified Cintichem process with LEU foil targets
-Neutron activation of natural molybdenum oxide targets and utilization of gel generators.
• Disseminate information on Mo99 production using LEU foil targets or gel generators obtained from experimental evaluation of the technologies.
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU / NA
Output
• Participants will obtain necessary know-how for small-scale production using transferred LEU/ NA technologies.
• Technology transfer will address all steps: target preparation, irradiation, radiochemical processing, safety, waste management, quality control, and quality assurance.
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU/NA
Research Contracts
• Chile: LEU modified Cintichem w/foil targets• Kazakhstan: gel generators• Libya: LEU modified Cintichem w/foil targets• Pakistan: LEU modified Cintichem w/foil targets• Romania (IFIN-HH): gel generators• Romania (Pitesti): LEU modified Cintichem w/foil
targets
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU/NA
Research Agreements
• Argentina: LEU fission moly implementation • Republic of Korea: development of LEU foil targets• India: standardization of gel generators and feasibility of
fission moly. • Indonesia: development of LEU foil targets• U.S. (ANL): LEU-modified Cintichem foil targets technology
transfer• U.S. (U. Missouri MURR):LEU-modified Cintichem foil
targets; requirements for FDA approval of LEU-produced Mo-99
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU/NA
First RCM 11-14 December 2005, Vienna
• Individual country workplans reviewed and revised.
• Coordinated activities and experimental program established.
• Necessary materials and expertise specified.
• Actions and milestones established.
• Project website initiated after first RCM
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU/NA
LEU Foil Workshop, 6-10 March 2006, Serpong, Indonesia
• Lectures and facility visits
• Foil preparation, target fabrication, assembly and disassembly, irradiated target processing
• ANL lecturers, BATAN personnel facility demonstrations.
• Based upon U.S. DOE – Indonesia bilateral cooperation program
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU/NA
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU/NA
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU/NA
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU/NA
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU/NA
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU/NA
Provision of Materials
• Aluminum tubing shipped from ANL (03/06).
• KAERI agreed to supply test foils.
• IAEA review of legal requirements for transfers.
• Discussions with other foil supplier (CERCA).
• Glassware procured by IAEA with DOE funding (shipment 12/06).
• Receipt of DU, NU, LEU foils (Winter/07).
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU / NA
Commercial Industry Involvement
• Major Mo-99 producers observers at 1st RCM
• Major producers agreed to support Nov. 2006 workshop (lecturers)
• CERCA, BWXT also to participate
• Possible test foils from CERCA
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU / NA28 November – 1 December 2006, Vienna
Workshop on Operational Aspects of Mo-99 Production
• Lectures on:- target plate manufacture, foil target production-target irradiation-irradiated plate processing-logistics, storage, and transportation-environmental and waste management-quality management-physical protection/security
• Lecturers from BWXT, CERCA, KAERI, MDS Nordion, NECSA, NRG Petten. Tyco Health Care
• Supported with DOE funding
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU / NA
Second Year Activities
• Completion of calculations for target irradiation (12/06).
• Finalize and submit safety analysis reports (12/06).• Finalize irradiation rig and target designs.• Cold assembly, testing, and disassembly of targets
(NU, DU, later LEU) • Finalize procedures and protocols, including
process facilities, quality control and assurance.• Second Research Coordination Meeting (RCM),
Bucharest (16-20 April 2007, tentative).
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU / NA
Third Year/Future Activities
• Irradiation of LEU targets (12/07) and processing of hot targets (02/08)
• Irradiation of Mo oxide and preparation of ‘moly Mo-99 gel’ powder for gel column generators
• Compare, assess, and interpret results, provide follow-up, and suggest adaptive changes
• Review compliance with specifications and purity requirements.
• Make modifications to improve future efforts. • Publish Agency TECDOC on the final results
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU/NA
Conclusions (1)
CRP has had a good start in the first year:
1. calculational work and other prep activities for fission moly have progressed in each country,
2. gel moly experiments and gel generator trial productin carried out; additional analysis work underway
3. aluminium tubing supplied, glassware by early 2007,4. arrangements for foil are falling into place, 1st quarter
20075. two workshops/training held, including one in cooperation
with Mo-99 industry
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU/NA
Conclusions (2)
• Papers later in this session by Chile and Romania (Pitesti) will describe their specific progress in fission moly work.
• India completed commissioning production facility for gel generators, limited supply now to hospital radiopharms.
• Some activities are behind schedule• Plan to hold a technical training workshop for gel moly
group• Work remains to be done to achieve irradiation and
processing at end of 2007/beginning of 2008
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU/NA
Conclusions (3)
• CRP directly supportive of RERTR objectives.• Will help build experience, consensus on use of
(a) LEU for Mo-99 production and (b) gel generator option using NA produced Mo-99.
• Results and experience gained will help strengthen local capability for undertaking small scale Mo-99 production in participant countries.
• Facilitate enhanced utilization of research reactors by local production of radioisotopes
CRP - Mo99 Production LEU/NA
THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION!!!!