RECOVERY OF URANIUM FROM AN IRRADIATED SOLID TARGET AFTER REMOVAL OF MOLYBDENUM-99 PRODUCED FROM THE IRRADIATED TARGET

摘要

A process for minimizing waste and maximizing utilization of uranium involves recovering uranium from an irradiated solid target after separating the medical isotope product, molybdenum-99, produced from the irradiated target. The process includes irradiating a solid target comprising uranium to produce fission products comprising molybdenum-99, and thereafter dissolving the target and conditioning the solution to prepare an aqueous nitric acid solution containing irradiated uranium. The acidic solution is then contacted with a solid sorbent whereby molybdenum-99 remains adsorbed to the sorbent for subsequent recovery. The uranium passes through the sorbent. The concentrations of acid and uranium are then adjusted to concentrations suitable for crystallization of uranyl nitrate hydrates. After inducing the crystallization, the uranyl nitrate hydrates are separated from a supernatant. The process results in the purification of uranyl nitrate hydrates from fission products and other contaminants. The uranium is therefore available for reuse, storage, or disposal.

主权项

1. A process for recovering uranium from an irradiated solid target after recovering molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) produced from the irradiated target, comprising:
irradiating a solid target comprising uranium to produce fission products comprising Mo-99, and thereafter dissolving the target to form a solution and conditioning the solution to provide an aqueous nitric acid solution comprising a first acid concentration and a first uranium concentration, and thereafter contacting this solution with a solid sorbent, whereby uranium remains in the nitric acid while the Mo-99 is bound to the sorbent for subsequent retrieval, adjusting the concentration of nitric acid and the concentration of uranium in the solution to concentrations suitable for crystallization of uranyl nitrate hydrates, and thereafter inducing the crystallization of uranyl nitrate hydrates, and separating the uranyl nitrate hydrates crystalline product from a supernatant, and thereby purifying the uranium nitrate hydrates from fission products and other impurities.