What is wise in the production of 99Mo? A comparison of eight possible production routes

The present paper addresses eight possible routes of producing Mo-99, and discusses both yield and Mo-99 specific activities (SA) in the context of anticipated worldwide demand. Target dimensions are modelled by considering both limits set by cooling and by inside-target radiation attenuation characteristics. Energy deposition profiles are set up by MCNP6, reaction probabilities are taken from TALYS/TENDL and JANIS codes, and both are used in arriving at the produced Mo-99. The outcomes suggest that U neutron-fission may remain one of the most relevant and efficient means of producing Mo-99 at the world-demand level, but that within this domain new developments may surface, such as ADSR or AHR production modes. Accelerator-based Mo-99 production is discussed as asking for developments in both target cooling and new concepts in post-EOB upgrading of Mo-99 SA, and/or new concepts for Mo-99/Tc-99m-generators, the latter possibly in both volumes (mass) and Mo-99 capacities.