Removal of Tc-99, Zr-95, and Nb-95, From Solutions Obtained After Dissolution of Irradiated Mo Targets
Decontamination of 99 Tc, Nb, and Zr impurities in dissolved irradiated Mo disks can be accomplished using Fe(II) precipitation. Here, we report bench-scale experiments and large-scale demonstrations on removal of 99 Tc (0.1 mM), 95 Nb, and 95 Zr from dissolved Mo disk simulant solutions. Tc removal is accomplished through the reduction and simultaneous immobilization of Tc(VII) by Fe(II), producing an insoluble, Tcincorporated Fe(II)-Fe(III) solid that is removed by filtration. Large-scale testing showed that Tc (97.6% ± 1.7%) is removed without affecting 99 Mo yields. Other important side reaction product impurities in irradiated Mo targets, namely various isotopes of Nb and Zr, are also removed (>99%) in this process. The effects of metal (Fe, Tc, Mo) concentrations, Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratio, pH, temperature, Fe addition method, and hydrogen peroxide addition were tested. The minimum amount of Fe(II) needed to remove up to 99% Tc is 10 mM and the optimal pH value for simultaneous removal of Tc, Nb, and Zr impurities is pH 13.