Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
10730544 | Applied Radiation and Isotopes | 2005 | 14 Pages |
Abstract
A conceptual flowsheet has been developed for the separation of 177Lu from a 300 mg neutron irradiated 176Yb enriched target. The key component of the process is an extraction chromatographic (EXC) resin containing 2-ethylhexyl 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid (HEH[EHP]) sorbed onto a 25-53 μm Amberchrom CG-71 substrate. The process is divided into three sections: (1) front-end target removal system, (2) primary separation system and (3) secondary separation system. Each section involves the separation of Yb and Lu using the HEH[EHP] resin followed by concentration and acid adjustment of the Lu-rich eluate using an EXC material containing a diglycolamide extractant. The use of the diglycolamide EXC material is a significant feature of the flowsheet, allowing one to avoid lengthy evaporations and acidity adjustments between successive HEH[EHP] column runs while removing adventitious impurities from the 177Lu. The overall recovery of 177Lu is estimated at 73% with an overall decontamination factor from Yb of 106. The overall processing time can be as short as 4 h.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Physics and Astronomy
Radiation
Authors
E.P. Horwitz, D.R. McAlister, A.H. Bond, R.E. Barrans, J.M. Williamson,