Management of radioactive waste from molybdenum-99 production using low enriched uranium foil target and modified CINTICHEM process

Abstract

Technetium-99m is the short-lived daughter product of the parent molybdenum-99, which is mainly produced by the fission of uranium-235. Management of radioactive waste is an integral part of fission 99Mo production and has high priority during the planning, design, construction and operational phase of a molybdenum-99 production facility. Within the licensing procedure the strategy of waste management, including the route for the spent targets and long lived fission products has to be described and approved by the responsible authorities. Waste will be generated as solids, liquids, and gases, and will include material in the low, intermediate and even highly radioactive categories. Initial treatment of waste streams is usually required at the production site, prior to short or long term storage. This technology is established and generally available in countries with an existing nuclear industry, such as Pakistan. In some instances storage facilities may need to be constructed. On site, treatment of gaseous waste will be carried out in the production facility while off-site treatment will be performed for solids and liquid radioactive waste.