Apparatus for Production of Lead-212 Isotope
An apparatus for producing Pb-212. The apparatus comprises an emanation box that comprises an emanation source comprising a porous non-reactive material. The emanation box receives at least one of Th-228 and Ra-224, wherein the at least one of Th-228 and Ra-224 decays to Rn-220 within the emanation box. The apparatus further includes a carrier gas feed coupled to the emanation box. The carrier gas feed directs an inert gas into the emanation box and the inert gas carries the Rn-220 out of the emanation box through a carrier gas exit port of the emanation box. The apparatus also includes one or more Rn-220 targets coupled to the carrier gas exit port. The carrier gas carries the Rn-220 from the emanation box to the one or more Rn-220 targets and the Rn-220 decays into Pb-212 within the one or more Rn-220 targets. The Pb-212 is directed into the Pb-212 collection container.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . An emanation box comprising:
an emanation source comprising fins,
wherein the fins are made of a non-reactive porous material,
wherein at least one of Th-228 or Ra-224 in a solvent is directed into the emanation box and adsorbed onto the fins of the emanation source;
a shield structure positioned around the emanation source,
wherein the shield structure is operable to absorb radiation generated by radioactive decay of at least one of the Th-228 or the Ra-224 in the emanation box;
a carrier gas feed port,
wherein the carrier gas feed port is operable to provide an inlet for a carrier gas directed into the emanation box;
a carrier gas exit port,
wherein the carrier gas exit port is operable to provide an exit for the carrier gas from the emanation box;
an evaporation exit port,
wherein the evaporation exit port is operable to provide an exit for evaporated solvent.
22 . The emanation box of claim 21 , further comprising a carrier gas blade operable to distribute the carrier gas entering the emanation box through the carrier gas feed port across the fins in a homogenous flow.
23 . The emanation box of claim 21 , wherein the non-reactive porous material is selected from selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, gold, platinum, tungsten, iridium, or combinations thereof.
24 . The emanation box of claim 21 , wherein the carrier gas feed port, carrier gas exit port, and evaporation exit port are operable to be sealed to isolate an interior of the emanation box.
25 . The emanation box of claim 21 , wherein the emanation box is configured to be transportable and removable from an apparatus for production of Pb-212.
21 . The emanation box of claim 21 , wherein the carrier gas comprises a gas selected from the group consisting of N 2 , a noble gas, and combinations thereof.
27 . The emanation box of claim 21 , wherein the carrier gas feed port is coupled to:
an N 2 gas source;
a mass flow meter coupled to the N 2 gas source, wherein the mass flow meter is operable to measure a mass flow rate of N 2 gas from the N 2 gas source; and
a control valve coupled to the N 2 gas source, wherein the control valve is operable to control a flow rate of N 2 gas from the N 2 gas source.
28 . The emanation box of claim 21 , wherein:
at least one of the Th-228 or Ra-224 decays to Rn-220 within the emanation box; and the carrier gas carries the Rn-220 out of the emanation box through the carrier gas exit port.