A system of Tc-99m production based on distributed electron accelerators and thermal separation

A system has been developed for the production of Tc-99m based on distribut ed electron accelerators and thermal separation. The radioactive decay pare nt of Tc-99m, Mo-99, is produced from Mo-100 by a photoneutron reaction. Tw o alternative thermal separation processes have been developed to extract T c-99m. 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 Tc-99m for a large nuclear pharmacy. Twenty such production centers distributed near major metropolitan areas could produce the entire U.S. supply of Tc-99m at a cost less than the current subsidized price.