A System of ^99mTc Production Based on Distributed Electron Accelerators and Thermal Separation

A system has been developed for the production of ^99mTc based on distributed electron accelerators and thermal separation. The radioactive decay parent of ^99mTc, ⁹⁹Mo, is produced from ¹⁰⁰Mo by a photoneutron reaction. Two alternative thermal separation processes have been developed to extract ^99mTc. Experiments have been performed to verify the technical feasibility of the production and assess the efficiency of the extraction processes. A system based on this technology enables the economical supply of ^99mTc for a large nuclear pharmacy. Twenty such production centers distributed near major metropolitan areas could produce the entire U.S. supply of ^99mTc at a cost less than the current subsidized price.