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.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 11th, 9:00 AM

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.