Development of 188W Production Technology

Under the coordinated research project (CRP), the processing of high specific activity 188W produced by neutron irradiation in the SM research reactor was studied theoretically and experimentally. The effects of neutron flux depression and shielding on 188W specific activity were studied, and an optimized approach to 188W production based on experimental data was developed. A procedure for 188W specific activity estimation was developed based on gamma spectrometry measurement of 188W activity and on photocolorimetric measurement of tungsten concentration in the sample solution. The procedure allowed experimental data to be obtained for use for the optimization of 188W production. A radiochemical procedure for irradiated target processing providing efficient purification from both radioactive and non-radioactive impurities was developed. Under the CRP, 15 batches of 188W were prepared and shipped to the participant countries to support their research on 188W/188Re generator development. (author)