Event Title
Development of Water Target for Radioisotope Production
Presentation Type
Poster/Portfolio
Presenter Major(s)
Physics
Mentor Information
Geoff Lenters
Department
Physics
Location
Kirkhof Center KC45
Start Date
11-4-2012 9:00 AM
Keywords
Physical Science, Technology
Abstract
Ongoing studies of plant physiology at TUNL require a supply of nitrogen-13 for use as a radiotracer. Production of nitrogen-13 using a water target and a proton beam follows the nuclear reaction 16-O(p,a)13-N. Unfortunately the irradiation of oxygen-18 within a natural water target produces fluorine-18. The presence of this second radioisotope reduces the efficacy of nitrogen-13 as a radiotracer. Designing a natural water target for nitrogen-13 production at TUNL required the design of several systems. A heat exchanger thermally regulates the target water preventing the system from overheating and minimizing the effect of the cavitations occurring within the target. Alumina pellets within a scrubbing unit remove the fluorine-18 contamination from the irradiated water. The newly designed and constructed water target should meet the current and future needs of TUNL researchers in the production of nitrogen-13.
Development of Water Target for Radioisotope Production
Kirkhof Center KC45
Ongoing studies of plant physiology at TUNL require a supply of nitrogen-13 for use as a radiotracer. Production of nitrogen-13 using a water target and a proton beam follows the nuclear reaction 16-O(p,a)13-N. Unfortunately the irradiation of oxygen-18 within a natural water target produces fluorine-18. The presence of this second radioisotope reduces the efficacy of nitrogen-13 as a radiotracer. Designing a natural water target for nitrogen-13 production at TUNL required the design of several systems. A heat exchanger thermally regulates the target water preventing the system from overheating and minimizing the effect of the cavitations occurring within the target. Alumina pellets within a scrubbing unit remove the fluorine-18 contamination from the irradiated water. The newly designed and constructed water target should meet the current and future needs of TUNL researchers in the production of nitrogen-13.