General Electric Company

Douglas H Simpson

Carl P Ruiz

Raul J Pomares

A method is disclosed for controlling the release of radioiodine produced by the fission of uranium 235 during the process for the production of molybdenum 99. In the process for producing molybdenum 99, an aluminum-uranium alloyed target is irradiated with a neutron flux to bring about fission of the Uranium 235 producing molybdenum 99, radioiodine and other fission by-products. The method herein comprises reacting the irradiated target with a caustic solution. A reactive silver is then mixed with the caustic solution in an amount sufficient to react with substantially all of the radioiodine present in the caustic solution thereupon forming a silver precipitate of radioiodine. The precipitate formed is then separated from the caustic solution resulting in a substantially radioiodine-free caustic solution containing molybdenum 99.

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Fremont, CA, United States of America

Douglas H Simpson