Comparison of characteristics of solution and conventional reactors for Mo-99 production

Nearly an the Tc-99m administered to patients is obtained from eluting a radionuclide generator. The generators manufactured by the U.S. radiopharmaceutical companies use only the high-specific activity molybdenum produced by the fission of uranium. The dominant production methods are those used by Cintichem, Inc. and Nordion International. There are, however, competing methods of the production of fission-based Mo-99. One of the most promising proposed alternatives is the use of solution reactors (or homogeneous reactors). The operational characteristics of conventional reactors (i.e., Cintichem process) and those of solution reactors to produce Mo-99 for use in manufacturing Mo-99/Tc-99m generators ape examined. The use of conventional reactors has the disadvantage of generating lar ge amounts of radioactive waste. The use of solution reactors can significantly reduce this problem. Both methods require rigorous processing to meet the purity requirements due to the presence of fission product contamination.