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Isotopes
for Medicine and Science
Los Alamos
National Laboratory routinely produces substantial quantities of a number
of radioisotopes during the operating cycle of the Los Alamos Neutron
Science Center (LANSCE) linear accelerator. This accelerator is approximately
1 kilometer long and generates 1 milliamp of 800 MeV protons that are
used to produce isotopes via spallation processes. The Isotope Production
Facility is located in the beam stop area of the accelerator. Minimum
irradiation time is 7 days per target. A new 100 MeV Isotope Production
Facility is being constructed and will be operational in 2003.
RADIOISOTOPE PRODUCTION
Encapsulated target materials are irradiated at the LANSCE beam stop.
Nine target stations are available for irradiations. Targets are transported
to the main Radiochemistry Site, TA-48, RC-1, where they are chemically
processed to recover radioisotope products. Chemical processing procedures
include dissolution, chemical separation, typically by ion exchange, precipitation,
electrochemistry, distillation, and chromatography. Products are manufactured
according to FDA cGMP practices. Waste is managed at the facility, and
then transported to either the Radioactive Liquid Waste Treatment Facility
at TA-50 or the Radioactive Solid Waste Management Facility at TA-54 for
treatment and disposal.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The development of new products and services and the improvement of
existing products are the main objectives of the Isotope Program’s
research and development efforts. Ongoing projects include:
New Isotope Products.
Included are Fe-55, Hf-178m2, V-49, and others.
Chemistry Process Development.
New processes for Si-32 and improved processes for Fe-55 and Ge-68
Radioactive Sample Isotope
Separator. Development of an electromagnetic isotope separator installed
in the Wing-9 hot cells of the Chemistry Metallurgy Research building.
Virtual Isotope Center.
Collaborate with the Brookhaven National Laboratory supplemented by international
collaborations with TRIUMF (Vancouver, Canada), Institute of Nuclear Research
(Troitsk, Russia), National Accelerator Centre (Faurve, South Africa),
and the Paul Scherrer Institute (Villigen, Switzerland) to irradiate targets
for processing in the TA-48 hot cells.
Waste Minimization.
Ongoing activities to eliminate, reduce volumes, or find new markets for
radioisotopes would otherwise be disposed of.
CONSTRUCTION
UPDATE
Isotope Production Facility
Description:
Build a replacement target station at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center
(LANSCE) for the production
of isotopes needed for research and medicine.
SCOPE
- Design and construct a new
beam line on the north side of the existing LANSCE accelerator.
- Design and build a new isotope
production target station and target remote handling systems.
- Design, fabricate, and install
a beam switching magnet for the 100 MeV Transition Region of the LANSCE
accelerator to allow IPF to operate without impacting other LANSCE users.
- Design and construct a new
building to house the beam line, target station, and supporting systems.
- Implement the Authorization
Basis and obtain authorization to operate the completed facility.
JUSTIFICATION
- Assured, continuous supply
of medical isotopes used for vital diagnostic procedures and research
radioisotopes.
- Support the Office of Isotopes
for Medicine and Science program mission to continue to supply essential
isotopes that may otherwise be unavailable.
- Enhanced production capabilities
for short-lived isotopes because of capability to insert and withdraw
targets while the main LANSCE beam is in operation.
- Enhanced safety and waste
reduction as compared to the existing Isotope Production Facility.
- Reduced environmental emissions
and better ALARA compliance.
- Use of extensive existing
infrastructure, including processing facilities and waste disposal capabilities.
8/01
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Previous Highlights
ICON
Facility to reopen under new management
Isotope
Production Facility
Web Page
http://pearl1.lanl.gov/isotopes/
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ACCELERATOR
PRODUCTS
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Aluminum-26
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Arsenic-72, 73, 74
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Beryllium-7
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Bismuth-207
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Cadmium-109
- Copper-67
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Gadolinium-148
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Germanium-68
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Hafnium-172
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Mercury-194
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Rubidium-83
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Selenium-72, 75
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Silicon-32
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Sodium-22
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Strontium-82
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Tantalum-179
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Technetium-95m
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Titanium-44
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Vanadium-48, 49
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Yttrium-88
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Zinc-65
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Zirconium-88
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