Medical isotope production using a subcritical assembly

Objectives SHINE (Subcritical Hybrid Intense Neutron Emitter) is a fission-based medical isotope production and separation project.

Methods The system employs a low-enriched uranium (LEU) solution driven by a beam-target deuterium-tritium neutron source that does not have a vacuum window. Pressure in the gas target and a vacuum in the accelerator are maintained with differential pumping. The neutron driver occupies the center of a vessel containing the LEU solution and moderator in a geometry optimized for high efficiency production. Hydrogen and oxygen from radiolysis of water will be recombined and volatile radioactive gas will be removed continuously during operation.

Results Medical isotopes will be extracted from the aqueous solution in batches using established techniques with the goal of supplying half of the U.S. demand for molybdenum-99.

Conclusions Unlike in reactor produced medical isotope production, nearly all of the fission contributes to medical isotope production. Of the accelerator-produced medical isotope concepts, SHINE will consume the least electricity per Bq of isotope production