FFTF not a viable source of research isotopes by Paige Knight, July 22, 2000

I find this little blurb from a recent article in the Tri-City Herald most interesting in light of a Nuclear Energy Research Advisory Committee (NERAC) Subcommittee for Isotope Research and Production Planning Report that I was handed in the past few days. This committee reports to Magwood, in the USDOE, who has been heading this whole FFTF issue.

Here is the quote from the Herald about the Dept. of Energy's Environmental Impact Statement on FFTF restart:

The report (PEIS) due next week offered no major reasons not to use FFTF for those three missions and, in fact, hinted it might be the best alternative.

"Due to its large core size, flux spectrum, demonstrated testing capability and rated power level, it would be able to concurrently support the projected plutonium 238 needs, production of medical and industrial isotopes and nuclear research and development related to a broad range of materials, advanced reactors, advance fuels and waste transmutation," the draft said.

The NERAC report states:

The Subcommittee concludes that the FFTF will not be a viable source of research radioisotopes. Anticipated income from sales likely will not meet expectations thereby curtailing operations and reducing the FFTF's capability to produce research radioisotopes in a timely and cost-efficient manner. In light of these factors, the Subcommittee recommends that the FFTF not be considered as a viable long-term source of research radioisotopes.

It goes on to recommend the Missouri University research reactor and the High Flux Isotope reactor to meet the demands of users who need small quantities of research isotopes at irregular intervals.

Another important quote from the report is:

The site visit team is not in a position to ascertain the viability of the business plan that was compiled to demonstrate the economics of restarting the FFTF with a major mission of supplying radioisotopes for the biomedical community. Nevertheless it should be pointed out that the product line proposed by the PNNL team includes radioisotopes that are presently commercially available.... The supply of research radioisotopes was not a major consideration in the business plan. The FFTF is more ideally suited to producing large quantities using large volume targets rather than the production of small quantities on an irregular schedule. Thus, the ability of FFTF to meet research needs in a cost-effective manner is significantly in question.

This is somewhat technical but a very strong point to bring up at the Portland August 29th public hearings on this subject.