Modeling molybdeneum-99 production in molten salt reactors

Abstract

Molten salt reactors (MSRs) are being investigated as a possible source of 99Mo for medical uses. This paper describes computational modeling being performed to determine the feasibility for use of several MSR concepts in 99Mo production: the Molten Salt Breeder Reactor (MSBR), the Molten Salt Demonstration Reactor (MSDR), and the Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE). This modeling is accomplished with SCALE/TRITON using a three-mixture system and estimated removal terms. Results showed that the MSBR, MSDR and MSRE were capable of supplying an estimated 35,800,000, 13,700,000, and 132,000 six-day Ci/week of 99Mo, respectively, which is far more than the global demand. A range of operating parameters has been determined in which each reactor type is expected to have sufficient production capability to meet global demand.