A new method in the production of Ac-227, Ra-228, Th-228 and U-232 on Thorium target from different perspective for use in Radioisotope Power Systems and Nuclear Batteries

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel accelerator-based method for producing Ac-227, Ra-228, Th-228, and U-232 isotopes from thorium targets, offering a potential alternative to reactor-based methods for radioisotope power systems.

Contribution

It introduces a new particle accelerator approach for isotope production, with detailed calculations and comparisons to existing data, enhancing radioisotope supply options.

Findings

Calculated cross-sections and yields for isotope production.

Simulated activities under specific irradiation conditions.

Compared results with experimental and theoretical databases.

Abstract

We recommended a new method from different perspective for the production of Ac-227, Ra-228, Th-228 and U-232 radioisotopes which have an important potential for use in radioisotope power systems (instead of Pu-238) and nuclear batteries, based on long half-life, high power density and low radiation level. In the method, the production of Ac-227, Ra-228, Th-228 and U-232 radioisotopes were performed by particle accelerators on Th-232 targets, instead of uranium, thorium, actinium series etc. in nuclear reactors. For this aim, to produce Ac-227, Ra-228, Th-228 and U-232 radioisotopes, we calculated cross-section and integral yields curves and simulated activities and yields of product for each reaction process under special conditions, such as during irradiation of 24 h in a particle beam current of 1 mA for the energy range of Eprojectile=1000-1 MeV. The obtained data were compared with experimental EXFOR database and theoretical TENDL database in detail. The cross-section, activity and yields results of each nuclear reaction process were analyzed and discussed in terms of the suitable production of Ac-227, Ra-228, Th-228 and U-232 radioisotopes.