Fuel channel isotope irradiation at full operating power

Abstract

A method of a method of irradiating a target material in a heavy water reactor for the production of an isotope, including the steps of providing a target comprised of a material suitable for producing the isotope by way of a neutron capture event, placing the target in a primary fluid side of the heavy water reactor, and irradiating the target.

Description

technical field [0001] The presently disclosed invention relates generally to systems for irradiating radioisotope targets in nuclear reactors, and more particularly, to systems for irradiating radioisotope targets in heavy water moderated fission-type nuclear reactors. Background technique [0002] Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) is the most commonly used radioisotope in nuclear medicine, such as medical diagnostic imaging. Tc-99m (m is the metastable state) is typically injected into a patient and used in conjunction with certain devices to image the patient's internal organs. However, the half-life of Tc-99m is only six (6) hours. As such, readily available sources of Tc-99m are of particular interest and / or need, at least in the field of nuclear medicine. [0003] Given the short half-life of Tc-99m, Tc-99m is usually obtained where and / or when needed (eg, in a pharmacy, hospital, etc.) via a Mo-99 / Tc-99m generator. The Mo-99 / Tc-99m generator is a device used to extract the m...

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Problems solved by technology

However, the half-life of Tc-99m is only six (6) hours

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