Radioactive Fission Waste from Molybdenum-99 Production and Proliferation Risks
Aisyah, Pungky Ayu Artiani, Jaka Rachmadetin
Abstract
Abstract Molybdenum-99 ( 99 Mo) is a parent radioisotope of Technetium-99m ( 99m Tc) widely used in nuclear diagnostics. The production of this radioisotope by PT. INUKI generated radioactive fission waste (RFW) that theoretically contains 239 Pu and 235 U, posing a nuclear proliferation risk. This paper discusses the determination of radionuclides inventory in the RFW and the proposed strategy for its management. The radionuclides inventory in the RFW was calculated using ORIGEN 2.1 code. The input parameters were obtained from one batch of 99 Mo production using high enriched uranium in PT. INUKI. The result showed that the RFW contained activation products, actinides, and fission products, including 239 Pu and 235 U. This result was then used for consideration of the management of the RFW. The concentration of 235 U was reduced by a down-blending method. The proposed strategy to further manage the down-blended RFW was converting it to U 3 O 8 solid form, placed in a canister, and eventually stored in the interim storage for high-level waste located in The Radioactive Waste Technology Center.