Production of medical radioisotopes using the experimental fast reactor Joyo

Sasaki, Yuto; Okagaki, Masaki; Maeda, Shigetaka

no journal, , 

The experimental fast reactor Joyo is the only fast neutron spectrum reactor in the OECD member countries. It has been used for demonstration tests of the safety features unique to fast reactors, such as fuel breeding and core cooling by natural circulation of sodium cooling. Currently, work is underway to comply with the new regulatory standards, and it is scheduled to be restarted in JFY2026. After restarting, it is planned to be used for a variety of purposes, such as the development of fast demonstration reactors, irradiation of materials such as fusion materials, and the production of radioactive isotopes for medical use. In particular, the production of medical radioisotopes can be carried out not only using methods that make the most of the fast neutron spectrum unique to fast reactors, such as the (n,2n) reaction necessary for the production of Ac, but also by adjusting the neutron spectrum flexibly using various moderators, making it possible to carry out irradiation in a thermal neutron spectrum environment, such as the (n,) reaction necessary for the production of Mo. At this conference, we will report on the technology for producing medical radioisotopes using the experimental fast reactor Joyo.