Processing and evaluation of linear accelerator-produced Mo/Tc in Canada.

We are developing electron linear accelerator Mo(γ,n)Mo technology as a replacement to nuclear reactor U(n,f)Mo production. We report irradiation of natural molybdenum disks (25 MeV, 10 kW) and Mo-enriched disks (35 MeV, 2 kW), their dissolution and the extraction of Tc-pertechnetate. Up to 6.2 GBq Mo was produced, solvent extraction was performed at >90 % yields of Tc, and quality control showed that a product with high radionuclidic and radiochemical purity could be obtained. Irradiated natural molybdenum products showed more impurities (Nb, Nb, Nb and Nb) than enriched target material. Linear accelerator technology is feasible for production of quality Mo/Tc, particularly when paired with Mo-enriched targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]