2026-10-14T12:44:24Z https://www.scidb.cn/oai

10.57760/sciencedb.hjs.00697 2026-05-28T17:15:05Z

2026-05-28 Simulation Study on the Production of Medical Radionuclide Technetium-99m Based on a 40 MeV Electron Accelerator Irradiated Molybdenum-100 Aqueous Solution doi:10.57760/sciencedb.hjs.00697 en [Background] Technetium-99m (⁹⁹ᵐTc) is one of the most widely used medical radionuclides in nuclear medicine, primarily employed in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The production technology of molybdenum-99/technetium-99m based on electron accelerators has gradually attracted attention, especially for the 40 MeV electron accelerator. [Purpose] This study proposes a novel method for direct production of technetium-99m by irradiating molybdenum-100 aqueous solution with gamma rays generated from a 40 MeV electron accelerator. [Methods] The methodology encompasses three integrated subsystems: First, an electron–gamma converter target system was designed, where high-energy gamma-rays was generated by bremsstrahlung of high-energy electrons bombard a tungsten. Then, a layer of molybdenum-100 aqueous solution was arranged outside the electronic gamma conversion target system. The liquid molybdenum-100 was irradiated by the high-energy gamma rays emitted from the conversion target to produce molybdenum-99, which subsequently decays into technetium-99m. Finally, an technetium-99m isotope separation and purification system was adopted to continuously produce technetium-99m with high chemical and radionuclidic purity. The molybdenum-100 solution was then recirculated back into the irradiation chamber for reuse, thereby improving molybdenum-100 material utilization efficiency. [Results] This work optimized the electron-gamma conversion target, liquid molybdenum-100 target and chemical separation and extraction parameters using FLUKA simulation tool. Under the conditions of a total W target thickness of 4 mm, a molybdenum-100 solution solution container side length of 100 cm, and a separation cycle interval of 6 hours, the batch production of technetium-99m is 2094.2 GBq (56.6 Ci), corresponding to an annual production of 3057.5 TBq (82,636 Ci) under continuous operation of a 40 MeV/1 mA electron accelerator. Considering the uncertainties such as the actual operating time of the accelerator, assuming that the annual production capacity is only 80% of the theoretical capacity, corresponding the maximum annual production is about 2442.0 TBq (66,000 Ci). [Conclusion]​ The simulation results demonstrate the feasibility and potential of the proposed 40 MeV electron-accelerator-driven liquid target method for direct ⁹⁹ᵐTc production. The optimized system configuration, comprising a tungsten converter and a molybdenum-100 solution target, enables a batch yield of 2094.2 GBq (56.6 Ci) of technetium-99m with a 6-hour cycle. This corresponds to a substantial annual production estimate of approximately 2442.0 TBq (66,000 Ci), accounting for practical operational factors. This study provides a viable theoretical foundation and design parameters for future engineering development. Molybdenum-99/Technetium-99m; Isotope production; Electron accelerator; Molybdenum-100 Aqueous Solution Yu Chenggang Fu Bolin Wang Xiaohe Li Xiaoxiao Zou Chunyan Wu Jianhui Chen Jingen Cai Xiangzhou RESTRICTED dataset Science Data Bank