System and method for collecting and isolating radiosotopes
A method for obtaining 225 AC from 225 Ra having the steps of assembling a column having an inorganic stationary phase; priming the column to immobilize 226 Ra 225 Ra and natural decay products therefrom; immobilizing the 226 Ra, 225 Ra, 224 Ra, and natural decay products therefrom onto a stationary phase within the column; and eluting the column containing the 225 Ra with an aqueous sulfate solution to obtain a milking effluent that contains 225 AC. Also provided is a method for obtaining pure 225 AC from its isotope parents, the method comprising assembling a column having a stationary phase comprising an inorganic material; priming the column with the isotope parents to immobilize 225 Ac, and natural decay products of 225 AC; immobilizing the 225 Ac, and natural decay products therefrom onto the stationary phase within the column 226 Ra, 225 Ra, 224 Ra; and eluting the column containing the 225 AC to obtain an effluent that contains the isotope parents.
1. A method for obtaining 225 Ac from its isotope parents, the method comprising:
a) assembling a column having a stationary phase comprising an inorganic material;
b) priming the column with the isotope parents;
c) immobilizing the 225 Ac, and natural decay products therefrom onto the stationary phase within the column; and
d) eluting the column containing the 225 Ac to obtain an effluent that contains the isotope parents wherein the priming step further comprises eluting an aqueous solution containing free hydroxide ions until the effluent of the column is basic.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the eluting step comprises contacting the column with a mineral acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, perchloric acid, and combinations thereof.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the 225 Ac, immobilized on the column remains on the column after step d).
4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the inorganic material is a compound selected from the group consisting of alumina, zirconate, titanate, niobate, and combinations thereof.
5. A method for obtaining 225 Ac from its isotope parents, the method comprising:
a) assembling a column having a stationary phase comprising an inorganic material;
b) priming the column with the isotope parents;
c) immobilizing the 225 Ac, and natural decay products therefrom onto the stationary phase within the column; and
d) eluting the column containing the 225 Ac to obtain an effluent that contains the isotope parents wherein the immobilizing step further comprises:
e) eluting an aqueous solution containing 226 Ra, 225 Ra, 224 Ra, and natural decay products therefrom through the column;
f) eluting a dilute solution of H 2 SO 4 through the column; and
g) eluting water through the column until the effluent has neutral pH.
6. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein the eluting step comprises contacting the column with a mineral acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, perchloric acid, and combinations thereof.
7. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein the 225 Ac, immobilized on the column remains on the column after step d).
8. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein the inorganic material is a compound selected from the group consisting of alumina, zirconate, titanate, niobate, and combinations thereof.