Computational investigation of 99Mo production yield via proton irradiation of natU and 232Th targets

•Accelerators have a number of advantages over nuclear reactors for 99Mo radioisotope production.•Computational yield calculation can powerfully estimate a proposed nuclear reaction usefulness.•Proton-fission induced reactions on 232Th and natU thick targets result in desirable yield of 99Mo.•Deposited heat calculations determines maximum bearable proton current by the targets.

Accelerators have some advantages such as safety and cheaper operating and decommissioning costs for 99Mo production. Yield theoretical calculation using computational codes can powerfully estimate usefulness of a proposed nuclear reaction for a routine manufacturing. In this work, Monte Carlo-based code was used to compute 99Mo yield in 232Th and natU proton-irradiated targets, as well as maximum applicable beam current. Results showed that the code well agrees with published experimental data. The targets can bear maximum beam current of 30 µA. Targets from 232Th provides higher 99Mo yield.