Production of large quantities of 90Y by ion-exchange chromatography using an organic resin and a chelating agent

The performance of a system composed of an organic cation exchanger (Dowex 50Wx8) and a chelating agent (EDTA) previously described for the successful production of 90Y via a 90Sr/90Y generator is assessed under dynamic conditions. In an attempt to overcome the established limitation of ion-exchange resins for the separation of subcurie quantities of activity, 90Y is repeatedly isolated from an 11.8-GBq (320 mCi) 90Sr cow using a three-column tandem arrangement. The high recovery and radionuclidic purity obtained for 90Y and the parameters of the separation (time, eluant concentration, pH and flow rate range) strongly suggest that Ci quantities of 90Y can be handled satisfactorily by the ion-exchange method. No replacement or treatment of the cow, low waste generation and 90Sr losses less than 0.1% after each run were observed during the present study which, in combination with the low cost of this resin, may result in an attractive alternate method for the production of large quantities of 90Y.