Niowave Ancillary Systems – FY21: In Partial Fulfillment of the Deliverable Requirement for Niowave Ancillary Systems Support by LANL

Technical Report · Mon Jan 24 04:00:00 EST 2022

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1841902· OSTI ID:1841902

Singh, Bhavini ^[1]; Woloshun, Keith Albert ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Niowave Inc. produces medical radioisotopes within the US. Lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) is irradiated using an electron beam to produce neutrons that are used in the production of Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99). The medical community relies on a steady supply of Mo-99 which is primarily used in medical diagnostic imaging. The irradiation of LBE results in high temperatures within the molten metal, this work focusses on the design of ancillary systems associated with the liquid metal system. The LBE is initially at a temperature of 200°C and flows over a steel plate to create a waterfall. The electron beam is then aimed at the waterfall to generate neutrons. The peak temperatures of the LBE post irradiation depend on the beam energy of the LINAC. For a 15 MeV and 20 kW beam, the temperatures can range between 300°C and 350°C. The LBE is cycled through the system to create a closed loop that requires the post-irradiation LBE to be cooled back to 200°C. This work focuses on the heat exchanger and condenser system responsible for the cooling of the post-irradiation LBE.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• DOE Contract Number: 89233218CNA000001
• OSTI ID: 1841902
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-22-20580
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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