How are radioisotopes created in a nuclear reactor?

Molena

School assignment here... Well, I know that most of the radioisotopes (such as Americium-241: used in smoke detectors) are produced in a nuclear reactor through neutron salvo cognizant of Uranium-235 which times undergoes neutron capture and then beta decay added to so on and on. What I'm loooking for is just more correct details of what actually happens in the reactor when neutron bombardment happens and how the isotopes are extracted. Any info would great :) Thanks



Malone

http://www. hss. energy. gov/HealthSafety/o…I think this is a very good article to look at. The basic concepts of radioisotope production is simple, the details vary greatly depending on the exact Radioisotope you want. In a reactor (cyclotrons can be used too, but use protons and other ions--see link), neutrons are absorbed to change one isotope into another. Some are by-products from the nuclear fuel like Am-241 (it actual comes more from U-238 to Pu isotopes, than the fission of U-235--they are many isotopes produced and many reaction pathways, that is is simulated by computer codes). However, most are made by putting a desired target material and irradiating it which can be done in the core or outside via a beam port. Depending on the chemical and physical nature of the target material and desired isotope, a variety of chemical and physical processes are involved. Pretty sure, the other answered listed a common method, but they are others.



Grass Range

Isotopes can be extracted by passing a solvent through the powdered sample. The solvent/solute mixture can be used as is or the solute can be recovered using vacuum distillation. This can be done a number of times to maximise recovery.