Separation of Molybdenum-99 from Neutron-Irradiated Uranium-235 with Sulfur as Collector

Abstract

The separation of ⁹⁹Mo from other fission products has been successfully attempted by isolating S in a HNO₃ solution of neutron-irradiated UO₂ and collecting ⁹⁹Mo on it. Influence of various factors on the separation of ⁹⁹Mo was examined. When 5% aqueous solution of K₂S was added to the solution of fission products of high HNO₃ concentration and the mixture of S stood for 10 min, over 80% of the ⁹⁹Mo could be separated with the precipitate. Besides ⁹⁹Mo, ¹³²Te, ¹⁰³Ru and other nuclides also accompanied the precipitate. The presence of Mo carrier and U affected greatly the separation of ⁹⁹Mo, but that of Zr or Te carrier did not.