https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-021-01404-0
Regular Article
Preliminary evaluations of the environmental impact for the production of 99Mo by fusion neutrons
ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Lungotevere Thaon di Revel 76, 00196, Rome, Italy
Received:
10
January
2021
Accepted:
9
April
2021
Published online:
6
June
2021
ENEA is developing an accelerator-driven 14 MeV neutron source exploiting the deuterium–tritium fusion reaction to produce 99Mo medical radioisotope as an alternative production route not based on fission reactors. It is expected that, during normal operation, a number of radionuclides, generated by means of neutron irradiation on the raw material (natural Molybdenum), will be produced and managed. The present manuscript, as foreseen by national law, discusses a hypothetical scenario to test the environmental screening models, in turn evaluating the mechanisms and parameters which affect and control the path of liquid effluents potentially released during normal operation of the facility. The aim is to estimate the amount of radioactivity to be operated and the fraction potentially discharged in this hypothetical scenario, so as to ensure that the radioactive material can be managed without any risk for the population and the environment, according to national regulations and thoroughly fulfilling the international guidelines.
Focus Point on New Technologies for Detection, Protection, Decontamination and Developments of the Decision Support Systems in Case of CBRNe Events. Guest editors: A. Malizia, M. D'Arienzo, P. Chatterjee.
© The Author(s) 2021
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