RADIONUCLEIDE SEPARATION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECOVERING THE LATTER FLUID

Abstract

Apparatus for separating a radionuclide comprising: - a fluid supply section (10) for supplying a fluid containing a sample of the radionuclide, alone or with a reagent; - a column separation section (20) comprising a column vessel (21) with outlet (211), an adsorption element (22) and a filter element (23) for adsorbing the radionuclide, a drive element (25) for circulating the fluid, and a drive element passage (24) for discharging the separated fluid; - a fluid recovery section (30) with containers (31) for collecting the fluid; - a sensor (40) for detecting the fluid; - a control device (50) for controlling the parts of the apparatus and recovering, in a recovery container, any residual fluid remaining in the drive element passage (24). Figure for the abstract: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: RADIONUCLEIDE SEPARATION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECOVERING THE FLUID USING THE LATTER technical field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a radionuclide separation apparatus and a method for recovering fluid using the latter. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Among the radionuclides present in radioactive waste, the nuclides that emit gamma rays can be easily measured by non-destructive methods, but the nuclides that emit alpha particles, beta particles and low-energy gamma rays are difficult to measure directly due to the high self-absorption of alpha particles and the low energy resolution of beta spectra, and therefore must be separated individually from the matrix elements.

[0003] Concentration, separation, and purification techniques based on column chromatography are widely used to chemically separate radionuclides. Generally, to individually separate target nuclides from various matrix elements contained in a single sample, a multi-step process including initialization, sample loading, purification, elution, and washing is required. For each step, through a pretreatment process, a liquefied sample or a reagent required for the separation process is introduced into a resin column that is provided to meet the characteristics of the radionuclide to be separated and flows through it at a constant rate.Through the process, namely a process of removing interfering substances, adsorbing radionuclides to separate them from the fluid and desorbing the adsorbed radionuclides, the sample or reagent is recovered.

[0004] A recovery rate, which is a key performance indicator of the radionuclide separation process, varies depending on the physicochemical properties of a resin and the flow of the sample through the column, and the conventional gravity separation scheme requires a lot of time and labor because the flow cannot be regulated and the whole process is carried out manually.

[0005] Consequently, there is a need for a process that allows for easy regulation of the flow, allows for a rapid response to each process so that the fluid discharged sequentially in the separation process can be discharged and recovered quickly and accurately, and increases the fluid recovery rate in each process.

[0006] [Prior art documents]

[0007] [Patent document]

[0008] Korean Patent No. 10-2445313 (registered on September 15, 2022) Summary of the invention

[0009] The present disclosure was made to resolve the aforementioned problems arising in the prior art while maintaining intact the advantages obtained from the prior art.

[0010] One aspect of this disclosure provides a radionuclide separation apparatus capable of rapidly and accurately recovering a fluid discharged sequentially during a radionuclide separation process, and a fluid recovery process using the latter.

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure also provides a radionuclide separation apparatus capable of increasing a fluid recovery rate, and a fluid recovery process using the latter.

[0012] The technical problems to be solved by this disclosure are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and any other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by the person of the trade to which this disclosure relates upon reading the following description.

[0013] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus for separating a desired radionuclide includes a fluid supply portion that provides a fluid including a sample containing the radionuclide or a reagent, a column separation portion that receives the fluid supplied from the fluid supply portion and separates the radionuclide, and includes a drive element passage through which the fluid, from which the radionuclide has been separated, is discharged, a fluid recovery portion including a plurality of recovery vessels that recover the fluid discharged through the column separation portion, a sensor that detects the fluid in the column separation portion, and a control device that controls the drive of the fluid supply portion, the column separation portion, and the fluid recovery portion such that,After the residual fluid remaining inside the drive element passage is collected in the recovery container, the recovery container located at a recovery position is replaced. Brief description of the drawings

[0014] The above-mentioned objects, features and advantages and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will become clearer upon reading the following detailed description taken together with the drawings attached hereto:

[0015] [Fig.1] is a schematic view illustrating a radionuclide separation apparatus according to the present disclosure;

[0016] The [Fig.2] is a view illustrating a part of column separation, a sensor and a control device of the radionuclide separation apparatus of the [Fig.1];

[0017] The [Fig.3] is a flowchart illustrating an overall process of a radionuclide separation process;

[0018] Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a fluid recovery process using the radionuclide separation apparatus according to this disclosure;

[0019] Figure 5 is a schematic view illustrating certain operations of the fluid recovery process of Figure 4; and

[0020] Fig. 6 is a schematic view illustrating other operations of the fluid recovery process of Fig. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Some embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same numerals will be used throughout to designate identical or equivalent components. In the description of embodiments of this disclosure, detailed descriptions associated with well-known functions or configurations will be omitted if they could unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of this disclosure.

[0022] Furthermore, in the component descriptions of embodiments in this disclosure, the terms first, second, A, B, (a), (b), and similar terms may be used. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another, but do not limit the corresponding components regardless of their nature, order, or priority. When a certain component is described as being "linked to," "coupled to," or "electrically connected to" a second component, it should be understood that the component may be directly linked or electrically connected to the second component, but a third component may be "linked," "coupled," or "electrically connected" between the components.

[0023] In the specification, a front / back direction, a left / right direction and an up / down direction are referenced for convenience, and may be directions that are perpendicular to each other.

[0024] [Fig. 1] is a schematic view illustrating a radionuclide separation apparatus 1 according to this disclosure, and [Fig. 2] is a view illustrating a a column separation part 20, a sensor 40 and a control device 50 of the radionuclide separation apparatus 1 of [Fig. 1]. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the radionuclide separation apparatus 1 according to this disclosure will be described.

[0025] The radionuclide separation apparatus 1 according to this disclosure can be understood as an apparatus which purifies elements that interfere with or disrupt the measurement of radioactivity from a sample of liquefied radioactive waste containing various chemical elements using a reagent, and efficiently separates and recovers a fluid containing a desired radionuclide.

[0026] Specifically, the radionuclide separation apparatus 1 according to this disclosure can separate and recover only a radionuclide to be recovered by means of adsorption and desorption processes of the radionuclide contained in a fluid. That is to say, the radionuclide separation apparatus 1 is directed towards the removal of unwanted radionuclides and other components and the purification and recovery of a desired radionuclide. In this case, it is possible to separate and recover a single radionuclide to be recovered individually, or, when several radionuclides are to be recovered, to recover a fluid containing them all in a single group.

[0027] However, the spirit of this disclosure is not limited to that, and it can also be understood as an apparatus which efficiently separates and recovers a fluid containing a desired component and a fluid containing undesired components in a column chromatography process to separate or purify various chemical components of a general mixture.

[0028] Specifically, the radionuclide separation apparatus 1 according to this disclosure can regulate column flow using a sensor 40 that detects a fluid. As a result, it may be possible to quickly and accurately separate and recover fluids discharged sequentially, and residual fluid remaining in a drive element passage 24 can be recovered in a suitable recovery container 31, so that a recovery rate can be increased.

[0029] The radionuclide separation apparatus 1 includes a fluid supply portion 10 that provides a fluid, such as a sample containing the radionuclide or a reagent that is necessary for a radionuclide separation process, a column separation portion 20 that receives the fluid supplied from the fluid supply portion 10 and separates and purifies the radionuclide, and including a drive element passage 24, through which the purified fluid is discharged, a fluid recovery portion 30 including a plurality of recovery containers 31 that separates and recovers the fluid discharged through the column separation portion 20, a sensor 40 which detects the fluid in the column separation part 20, and a control device 50 which controls the drive of the fluid supply part 10, the column separation part 20 and the fluid recovery part 31 so that, after the residual fluid which remains inside the passage of drive element 24 is recovered in the recovery container 30, the recovery container 31 located at a recovery position is replaced.

[0030] The fluid supply section 10 can sequentially supply a fluid, such as a sample containing a liquefied radionuclide, by means of a pretreatment process, as well as various reagents, to the column separation section 20. Specifically, the fluid can be understood as including both the sample containing a desired radionuclide and the reagent required for the radionuclide separation process. The sample or reagent to be supplied may vary depending on the radionuclide separation process.

[0031] The supplied fluid can be received in different types of feed containers 11 depending on the radionuclide separation characteristics. To this end, a plurality of feed containers 11 can be supplied in the fluid supply section 10. [Fig. 1] illustrates, by way of example, a case in which three feed containers 11 are supplied, but the purpose of this disclosure is not limited to this.

[0032] The fluid supply portion 10 may include a feed pump 12 which generates energy to transfer the received fluid into the feed container 11. The feed pump 12 may be provided in the form of various types of pumps, such as a reciprocating pump, a rotary pump or a piston pump, but is not limited to them.

[0033] In the embodiment, by way of example, the automatic supply of fluid through the supply pump 12 of the fluid supply part 10 under the control of the control device 50 has been described, but the spirit of this disclosure is not limited to it.

[0034] By way of example, the fluid can be supplied to the column vessel 21 via a separate fluid supply section (not shown) that directly supplies the fluid or uses a disposable syringe or pipette, without passing through the fluid supply section 10, to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Furthermore, the fluid supply section 10 can also be configured in which the fluid is supplied manually by a user without control from the control device 50. In another example, the sample containing radionuclides and the reagent can be supplied separately, and in In this case, for reasons of convenience, at least one of them can be supplied directly to the column 21 container.

[0035] Accordingly, in the radionuclide separation apparatus 1 according to this disclosure, the control of the fluid supply part 10 should be understood broadly as including not only an active control of automatic transfer of a predetermined quantity of fluid, such as a sample or reagent, to the column vessel 21 by means of the fluid supply part 10, but also a passive control of detection of the fact that the fluid has been supplied to the column vessel 21, by means of the sensor 40.

[0036] The column separation part 20 includes a column vessel 21 which receives the fluid supplied during a fluid supply operation and has an outlet 211, through which the fluid is discharged, at one side thereof, an adsorption element 22 and a filter element 23 which are arranged inside the column vessel 21 to separate a radionuclide contained in the fluid, a drive element 25 which provides energy so that the fluid flows, and a drive element passage 24 which is connected to the outlet 211 of the column vessel 21 to discharge the fluid towards the fluid recovery part 30.

[0037] The column separation part 20 can be provided on one side of the fluid supply part 10 and, by way of example, can be arranged on a lower side of the fluid supply part 10, as illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0038] An adsorption element 22, selected according to the chemical characteristics of a radionuclide to be separated, can be filled at the bottom of the column vessel 21. Preferably, filter elements 23 are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the adsorption element 22 to prevent loss of the adsorption element 22 and also to prevent the adsorption element 22 from being disturbed by the fluid supplied to the column vessel 21. The adsorption element 22 may, for example, be an ion-exchange resin or an extraction chromatography resin, but is not limited to these, and may be variously formed according to the characteristics of a radionuclide to be separated. The filter element 23 may also have pores of different sizes and shapes depending on the characteristics of the radionuclide separation process.

[0039] The present disclosure can recover the residual fluid that is inevitably generated in a device that regulates a flow using the sensor 40, by sequentially performing processes such as supplying new fluid, recovering the residual fluid, replacing a recovery container, and recovering the supplied fluid. A detailed description will be provided later.

[0040] Meanwhile, the drive element 25 can discharge the supplied fluid towards the outlet 211 of the column vessel 21 after allowing the fluid to pass through the adsorption element 22 and the filter element 23 inside the column vessel 21. The drive element 25 can be a fluid pump, such as a gear pump, a diaphragm pump, a peristaltic pump or a piston pump.

[0041] Figure 2 illustrates, by way of example of the drive element 25, a case in which a peristaltic pump is applied, and the passage of the drive element 24 can be a single flexible tube. The drive element 25 can include a rotating shaft 252 and a plurality of rollers 251 that rotate about the rotating shaft 252. When the plurality of rollers 251 is set in rotation about the rotating shaft 252, the passage of the drive element 24 can be repeatedly compressed and released in order to move the fluid.

[0042] The drive element passage 24 can be made of a material exhibiting elasticity such that, when an external force is applied, its shape is changed, and when the applied external force is released, it can be restored to its original state. The fluid can flow through a series of processes, in which the drive element passage 24 is pressed by the rollers 251, its shape is temporarily changed, pressure is generated inside the drive element passage 24, and the pressure applied to the drive element passage 24 is released.

[0043] The fluid recovery portion 30 may include a plurality of recovery vessels 31 that separate and recover the fluid discharged through the column separation portion 20, a support element 32 that supports the recovery vessels 31, and a displacement element 33 that moves the support element 32.

[0044] In this case, the moving element 33 may include a linear motion table (not shown) which linearly moves the plurality of recovery containers 31, and a rotary motion table (not shown) which rotates the support element 32 around a fixed shaft to rotationally move the plurality of recovery containers 31. As a result, the recovery container 31 can be moved linearly or can be moved rotationally around the fixed shaft.

[0045] By actuating the displacement element 33 as described above, the recovery container 31 can be moved to a recovery position, and the recovery container 31 that has been moved to the recovery position can collect the discharged fluid through the passage of the drive element 24. In this case, the fluid can be collected in different recovery containers 31 depending on its use, and for this purpose, a plurality of recovery containers 31 can be provided in the fluid recovery section 30. [Fig. 1] illustrates, by way of example, a case in which three recovery containers 31 are arranged linearly, but the spirit of this disclosure is not limited to that, and a different number of recovery containers 31 may be arranged in various ways depending on the characteristics of the radionuclide separation process and the types of radionuclides to be separated.

[0046] Furthermore, a non-contact sensor 40 can be provided on one side of the column container 21. The sensor 40 can be installed outside the column container 21 so as not to impede the flow of the fluid. In this case, the sensor 40 can be provided as a sensor that detects the fluid received inside the column container 21. By way of example, various sensors, such as an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, a thermal sensor, a vibration sensor, an electrical conductivity sensor, or a capacitance sensor, can be used, but the type of sensor 40 is not limited to these.

[0047] Specifically, after a specific quantity of fluid is supplied to the column vessel 21, the fluid can flow downwards in the column vessel 21 by the drive of the drive element 25. Consequently, the fluid can flow through the adsorption element 22 and the filter element 23 arranged in the column vessel 21, and then can be discharged through the outlet 211. The sensor 40 can be disposed at the level of an upper side of the adsorption element 22 and the filter element 23, and can detect a moment when the fluid inside the column vessel 21 is completely introduced into the adsorption element 22 and the filter element 23. That is to say, the sensor 40 can detect a moment when no fluid remains on an upper side of the adsorption element 22 and the filter element 23. the filter element 23 in the column container 21.

[0048] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the control device 50 can generate, edit and load process information or control information which are required for the radionuclide separation process, and can control the drive of the fluid supply part 10, the column separation part 20 and the fluid recovery part 30 on the basis of information detected by the sensor 40.

[0049] To this end, the type and volume of a feed reagent to control the operations of the radionuclide separation process, a position of the recovery container 31, and an internal volume value of the drive element passage 24 can be entered into the control device 50. The control device 50 can control a drive period of the drive element 25 to recover the residual fluid that remains inside the drive element passage 24, depending on the internal volume value of the drive element passage 24 that has been entered into the control device 50.

[0050] Specifically, after the sensor 40 detects that fluid has been supplied to the column vessel 21, the control device 50 can drive the drive element 25 to recover the residual fluid. In this case, the drive element 25 can be actuated for a recovery period corresponding to the internal volume value of the drive element passage 24. Then, the control device 50 can drive the fluid recovery portion 30 to replace the recovery vessel 31. Next, the control device 50 can drive the drive element 25 so that the supplied fluid is recovered in the modified recovery vessel 31. In this case, the control device 50 can control the drive element 25 so that the drive element 25 is driven until the sensor 40 detects the fluid.Specifically, the drive element 25 can be driven until a certain point is detected by the sensor 40, at which point all the fluid inside the column vessel 21 has flowed into the adsorption element 22 and the filter element 23. Then, the control device 50 can activate the fluid supply section 10 so that fresh fluid is supplied to the column vessel 21. After the fresh fluid is supplied to the column vessel 21, the control device 50 can drive the drive element 25 again to recover the residual fluid. The control device 50 can activate the fluid supply section 10, the column separation section 20, and the fluid recovery section 30 so that the process is repeated.

[0051] On the other hand, the control of a drive period implies a composite meaning. For example, when a peristaltic pump is used as a drive element 25, as illustrated in [Fig. 2], the drive element passage 24 can be a flexible tube. A pulse drive scheme can be applied to rotate the peristaltic pump, and in this case, the pump can be rotated by an angle corresponding to each pulse. In this case, as the frequency of the pulse train increases, the pump can be driven to rotate at a high speed. Consequently, the volume of fluid transferred through the drive element 25 increases as the number of control pulses increases or as the drive period becomes longer for a pulse train of a specific frequency.However, since an increase in the drive period and the volume of fluid transferred are proportional to each other in both cases, the control of the drive period must be understood as including both the direct control of a period, for which pulses are applied, and the control of the number of pulses.

[0052] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an overall process of a radionuclide separation process. With reference to Figure 3, a process for carrying out a multi-step radionuclide separation process by the radionuclide separation apparatus 1 can be divided into an initialization operation S1, a sample loading operation S2, a purification operation S3, an elution operation S4, and a washing operation S5.

[0053] First, in the initialization (conditioning) operation SI, an initializing reagent (conditioning reagent) can be supplied to the column vessel 21 via the fluid supply section 10. Furthermore, the initializing reagent that has passed through the column separation section 20 can be recovered in the recovery vessel Cl. The initializing reagent used in the initialization operation SI refers to a reagent for initializing (conditioning) the adsorption element 22.

[0054] In the sample loading operation S2, a sample containing a desired radionuclide to be separated can be supplied in the column container 21 directly or via the fluid supply part 10. In addition, after the desired radionuclide in the sample has been adsorbed onto the adsorption element 22 while passing through the column separation part 20, the fluid discharged from it can be recovered in the recovery container C2.

[0055] The sample loading operation S2 is an adsorption operation of a radionuclide to be separated, but in the sample loading operation S2, in addition to the desired radionuclide, components exhibiting a chemical behavior similar to that of the desired radionuclide may also be partially adsorbed onto the adsorption element 22. In this way, when components other than the desired radionuclide are adsorbed together onto the adsorption element 22, the purification operation S3 can be carried out to desorb the other components from the adsorption element 22.

[0056] In the purification (rinsing) operation S3, a purification reagent (rinsing reagent) can be supplied in the column vessel 21. The purification reagent refers to a reagent for desorbing other components adsorbed onto the adsorption element 22 in the sample loading operation S2. By performing the purification operation S3, the adsorption element 22 can be in a state in which only the desired radionuclide is adsorbed onto it. Furthermore, the fluid discharged after the reagent has passed through the column separation section 20 can be collected in the recovery vessel C3.

[0057] In an S4 elution operation, an elution reagent may be supplied in the column vessel 21. The elution reagent refers to a reagent for desorbing the desired radionuclide from the adsorption element 22. The fluid discharged after having passed through the separation part of column 20 can be recovered in the recovery container C4.

[0058] In the elution operation S4, the desired radionuclide is desorbed from the adsorption element 22 by the elution reagent, so that the fluid containing the desired radionuclide can be recovered in the recovery container C4.

[0059] In a washing (cleaning) operation S5, acid or distilled water may be supplied to the column vessel 21 to wash (clean) the column vessel 21, the adsorption element 22, the drive element passage 24, and similar components. In the washing operation S5, the fluid discharged after passing through the column separation section 20 is collected in the recovery vessel C5. By performing the washing operation S5, the radionuclide separation operation can be completed.

[0060] A plurality of recovery containers 31 that recover the fluid in each process operation can separate and recover the fluid that contains the desired radionuclide and the fluid that does not contain the desired radionuclide. Accordingly, as described above, all the separated fluids can be individually recovered and collected in the recovery containers C1 to C5, or, in another example, the fluid that does not contain the desired radionuclide can be defined as a residual fluid, and the fluids discharged in the initialization operation S1, the sample loading operation S2, the purification operation S3, and the washing operation S5 can be recovered and collected in a single recovery container C6.

[0061] As described above, in the radionuclide separation process, the adsorption and desorption processes are carried out, and in the specification, the term "separation" means adsorbing or desorbing what has been adsorbed depending on the type of fluid supplied, so that ultimately the desired radionuclide is separated.

[0062] Meanwhile, in general, to increase the radionuclide recovery rate, the above processes can be combined and carried out in several steps. Consequently, some operations of the radionuclide separation process can be omitted or repeated, and the sequence may also differ from that described above.

[0063] In the fluid recovery process according to this disclosure, in order to further increase the recovery rate, when any one of the initialization operation S1, the sample loading operation S2, the purification operation S3, the elution operation S4 and the washing operation S5 of [Fig. 3] is performed, the drive element 25 can be controlled using internal volume information from the drive element passage 24 jointly with sensor information 40 so that the residual fluid remaining in the passage of drive element 24 can be recovered in a suitable recovery container 31.

[0064] In particular, in an apparatus in which the passage of the drive element 24 is provided at a lower end (outlet) of the column vessel 21, all the supplied fluid can be recovered in desired recovery containers. This makes it possible to eliminate the influence of the internal volume of the passage of the drive element 24 and to more precisely separate and recover the fluid containing the desired radionuclide.

[0065] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a fluid recovery process using the radionuclide separation apparatus 1 according to this disclosure, Figure 5 is a schematic view illustrating certain operations of the fluid recovery process of Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a schematic view illustrating other operations of the fluid recovery process of Figure 4. A fluid recovery process using the radionuclide separation apparatus 1 according to this disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 4 to 6.

[0066] With reference to [Fig. 4], a fluid recovery process using the radionuclide separation apparatus 1 according to this disclosure may include a volume input operation S10 consisting of inputting an internal volume value of the drive element passage 24, a recovery vessel setting operation S20 Cn+1 consisting of recovering the fluid Ln+1, a fluid supply operation S30 and S30' consisting of supplying the fluid Ln+1 into the column vessel 21, an operation S40 consisting of determining whether or not the previous operation recovery vessel Cn and the current operation recovery vessel Cn+1 are the same, a residual fluid recovery operation S50 consisting of recovering the residual fluid Ln remaining in the drive element passage 24 into the recovery vessel Cn,a recovery vessel modification operation S60 consisting of moving the recovery vessel Cn+1 to a recovery position to recover the fluid Ln+1; a fluid recovery operation S70 consisting of actuating the drive element 25 until the sensor 40 detects the fluid Ln+1 so that the fluid Ln+1 that has passed through the column separation section 20 is recovered in the recovery vessel Cn+1; and an operation S80 consisting of determining whether or not the operation is a final operation of the radionuclide separation process. Here, n is a natural number and may have a value that increases by 1 after the fluid recovery operation S70.

[0067] In an initial operation using the radionuclide separation apparatus 1 according to this disclosure, the fluid recovery portion 30 can be moved towards an origin, and consequently, an initial CO2 recovery container can be placed at the recovery position. Furthermore, in the residual fluid recovery operation S50, an internal volume value for the passage of the drive element 24 can be entered (S10) to set a drive period, during which the drive element 25 is driven.

[0068] The residual fluid recovery operation S50 can be performed during a recovery period corresponding to the internal volume value of the drive element passage 24 that has been entered. Specifically, in the volume input operation S10, a period during which the residual fluid recovery operation S50 is performed can be calculated based on the internal volume value of the drive element passage 24, and the drive element 25 can be driven in the residual fluid recovery operation S50 during the calculated drive period.

[0069] To this end, the control device 50 can set control parameters, such as a feed fluid volume Ln+1, a fluid flow velocity Ln+1 in the column separation section 20, and the recovery vessel Cn+1. However, to reduce the risk of cross-contamination, when the feed fluid Ln+1 is supplied directly into the column vessel 21 or when a feed fluid volume Ln+1 is not precisely known, the feed fluid volume Ln+1 may not be entered. However, even when a feed fluid volume Ln+1 is not entered, the multi-stage fluid recovery process according to this disclosure can be carried out effectively. A more detailed description of the fluid supply and fluid recovery will be provided below.

[0070] Figure 5 illustrates an example of a fluid recovery process including the fluid supply operation S30, the residual fluid recovery operation S50, the recovery container modification operation S60 and the fluid recovery operation S70.

[0071] First, the fluid Ln+1 can be supplied to the column vessel 21 by various arrangements (S30). As described above, the feed fluid Ln+1 containing a sample or reagent can be supplied in a set volume by means of an operation of the feed pump 12 by the control device 50, or can be supplied by a separate fluid supply section (not shown) using a syringe or a disposable pipette. In another example, the feed fluid Ln+1 can be supplied directly to the column vessel 21 without passing through the fluid supply section 10.

[0072] After the fluid Ln+1 is supplied to the column vessel 21, the residual fluid Ln can be recovered in the recovery vessel Cn (S50). Specifically, The control device 50 can drive the drive element 25 for a recovery period corresponding to the internal volume value of the drive element passage 24 that was entered in the volume input operation S10. That is, when all the residual fluid Ln has been recovered, the drive of the drive element 25 can be stopped. Consequently, only the residual fluid Ln can be recovered in the recovery container Cn located at the recovery position, and the fluid Ln+1 supplied in the fluid supply operation S30 cannot be recovered in the recovery container Cn.

[0073] After the residual fluid Ln is recovered, the next recovery container Cn + 1 can be positioned at the recovery location (S60). Specifically, the control device 50 can drive the displacement element 33 so that the recovery container Cn+1, set in the recovery container setting operation S20, is positioned at the recovery location.

[0074] After the recovery vessel Cn+1 has been moved to the recovery position, the fluid Ln+1 supplied in the fluid supply operation S10 can be recovered in the recovery vessel Cn+1 by actuating the drive element 25 (S70). When the drive element 25 is actuated, the fluid Ln+1 can be displaced downwards while passing through the adsorption element 22 and the filter element 23 inside the column vessel 21, and consequently, a surface of the fluid Ln+1 can be gradually lowered. When the surface of the fluid Ln+1 reaches a sensor 40 detection position, the actuation of the drive element 25 can be stopped. In this case, the fluid Ln+1 can remain in the passage of drive element 24. For the recovery of the residual fluid Ln+1, the above operations, such as the supply of fluid Ln+2 and the recovery of the residual fluid Ln+1, can be repeated in the following operation.

[0075] Figure 6 illustrates yet another example of a fluid recovery process including the fluid supply operation S30', the residual fluid recovery operation S50, the recovery container modification operation S60, and the fluid recovery operation S70. More specifically, Figure 6 illustrates a fluid recovery process capable of recovering a desired quantity of fluid Ln+1 without using the next fluid Ln+2.

[0076] In this disclosure, the amount of fluid supplied in the fluid supply operation S30 and S30' can be adjusted so that a target amount of fluid can be recovered without using the next fluid. The amount of fluid supplied in the fluid supply operation S30 and S30' can vary depending on the outcome of a determination in operation S80, which determines whether or not the operation is a final operation in the radionuclide separation process. Specifically, when it is determined that it is the final operation in The S80 operation, which consists of determining whether or not the radionuclide separation process is a final operation, a larger quantity of fluid Ln+1 can be supplied to recover the same quantity of fluid Ln+1 as in the previous operation without using the following fluid Ln+2.

[0077] Specifically, the quantity of fluid Ln+1 supplied in the final fluid supply operation S30' can be a quantity obtained by adding a quantity that is required for the radionuclide separation process and a quantity corresponding to the internal volume of the drive element passage 24. That is to say, in the fluid supply operation S30' of a process that does not use the following fluid Ln+2, a quantity of fluid that is greater by a quantity corresponding to the internal volume of the drive element passage 24 than the quantity of fluid supplied in the fluid supply operation S30 of a process that uses the following fluid Ln+2 can be supplied.

[0078] Meanwhile, in the residual fluid recovery operation S50, the drive element 25 can be driven for a recovery period corresponding to the internal volume value of the drive element passage 24 that was entered in the volume input operation S10. As a result, only the residual fluid Ln can be recovered in the recovery container Cn located at the recovery position.

[0079] After the residual fluid Ln is recovered, the next recovery container Cn + 1 can be positioned at the recovery location (S60). Specifically, the control device 50 can drive the displacement element 33 so that the recovery container Cn+1, set in the recovery container setting operation S20, is positioned at the recovery location.

[0080] After the recovery container Cn+1 has been moved to the recovery position, the supplied fluid Ln+1 can be recovered in the recovery container Cn+1 by actuating the drive element 25 (S70). The drive element 25 can be stopped when a surface of the fluid Ln+1 reaches a detection position of the sensor 40.

[0081] Through this process, the fluid recovery process of [Fig.6] can recover a quantity of fluid Ln+1 which is required for the process in the recovery container Cn+1 without using the following fluid Ln+2 in a final operation of the multi-stage separation process.

[0082] Meanwhile, the same recovery container can be used in two consecutive fluid recovery operations according to the radionuclide separation process. Although omitted from Figures 5 and 6, it can be determined whether or not the previous recovery container Cn and the recovery container Cn+1 for recovering the fluid Ln+1 supplied in operation S30 are the same (S40). When it is determined that the recovery container Cn located at the recovery position and the recovery container Cn+1 set in operation S20 are the same, the residual fluid recovery operation S50 and the recovery container modification operation S60 can be omitted and the process can continue.

[0083] In the fluid recovery process using the radionuclide separation apparatus 1 according to this disclosure, the operations are repeated in a specific order and under specific conditions, and the drive of the components is controlled by the control device 50, so that sequentially discharged fluids can be recovered quickly and accurately. Furthermore, the operations can be performed automatically, so that the time and labor required for the process can be reduced. In addition, when the drive element 25 is located below the column vessel 21, residual fluid that inevitably remains in the drive element passage 24 can be recovered in a suitable recovery vessel 31, so that the fluid recovery rate can be increased.

[0084] According to the present disclosure, the fluid discharged sequentially during the radionuclide separation process can be recovered quickly and accurately.

[0085] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, the fluid recovery rate can be increased.

[0086] The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of ​​this disclosure, and various modifications and variations may be made by a person skilled in the art without altering the essential characteristics of this disclosure. For example, adequate effects may be achieved even if the preceding processes and methods are implemented in a different order than described above, and / or the aforementioned elements, such as systems, structures, devices, or circuits, are combined or coupled in forms and modes different from those described above, or are substituted or interchanged with other components or equivalents. Accordingly, the embodiments of this disclosure are not intended to limit but to explain the technical idea of ​​this disclosure, and the scope and spirit of this disclosure are not limited by the above embodiments.The scope of protection of this disclosure shall be interpreted by the claims attached hereto, and all their equivalents shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

Demands

1. Apparatus for separating a desired radionuclide, the apparatus comprising: - a fluid supply portion (10) configured to supply a fluid, the fluid including a sample containing the radionuclide, or including both a sample containing the radionuclide and a reagent, - a column separation portion (20) configured to receive the fluid supplied by the fluid supply portion (10) and separate the radionuclide, said column separation portion (20) comprising: . a column vessel (21) configured to receive the fluid supplied by the fluid supply portion (10) and having an outlet (211), through which the fluid is discharged, at one side thereof; . an adsorption element (22) and a filter element (23) disposed inside the column vessel (21) and configured to adsorb the radionuclide contained in the fluid; .a drive element (25) configured to supply energy so that the fluid flows; and .a drive element passage (24) connected to the outlet (211), through which the fluid, from which the radionuclide has been separated, is discharged; - a fluid recovery section (30) including a plurality of recovery containers (31) configured to recover the fluid discharged through the column separation section (20); - a sensor (40) configured to detect the fluid in the column separation section (20); and - a control device (50) configured to control the drive of the fluid supply section (10), the column separation section (20) and the fluid recovery section (30) so that, after any residual fluid remaining inside the drive element passage (24) is recovered in the recovery container (31), the recovery container (31) located at a recovery position is replaced.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control device (50) controls the drive element (25) so that the drive element (25) is driven until a moment of fluid detection by the sensor (40).

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sensor (40) is configured to detect a time at which all the fluid supplied inside the column container (20) flows into the adsorption element (22).

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control device (50) is configured to: - control the fluid supply part (10) so that fresh fluid is supplied to the column vessel (21) after the sensor (40) detection time; and - control the column separation part (20) so that, after the fresh fluid is supplied to the column vessel (21), the drive of the column separation part (20) begins to recover the remaining fluid in the drive element passage (24), and the drive of the column separation part (20) stops when all the residual fluid has been recovered.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control device (50) is configured to control a drive period of the column separation part (20) to recover the residual fluid, as a function of an internal volume value of the drive element passage (24), input into the control device (50).

6. A fluid recovery method using the radionuclide separation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the fluid recovery method comprising: - a fluid supply operation (S30, S30') consisting of supplying fluid (Ln+1) to a column vessel; - a residual fluid recovery operation (S50) consisting of recovering residual fluid (Ln) remaining in a drive element passage (24) into a recovery vessel (Cn); - a recovery vessel modification operation (S60) consisting of moving another recovery vessel (Cn+1), configured to recover the supplied fluid (Ln+1), to a recovery position; and - a fluid recovery operation (S70) consisting of actuating a drive element until the sensor (40) detects that the fluid has completely passed through the separation portion. of column (20), to recover the fluid (Ln+1) in said other recovery container (Cn+1).

7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising: - a volume input operation (S 10) consisting of supplying the control device (50) with a value corresponding to the internal volume of the drive element passage (24), in which the residual fluid recovery operation (S50) is carried out during a recovery period controlled according to the volume value supplied.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein during the volume entry operation (S10), the control device (50) determines a period during which the residual fluid recovery operation (S50) is carried out, this period being calculated as a function of the value corresponding to the internal volume of the drive element passage (24).

9. A method according to claim 6, further comprising: an operation consisting of determining, using the control device (50), whether or not the operation is a final operation of a radionuclide separation process.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the control device (50) adjusts a quantity of the fluid supplied in the fluid supply operation (S30) so that a specific quantity of the fluid is recovered in the recovery container without using any further fluid.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein when the control device (50) determines that it is the final operation of the radionuclide separation process, in the fluid supply operation (S30), the fluid (Ln+1) is supplied in a quantity obtained by adding: - a quantity required for the radionuclide separation process, and - a quantity corresponding to the internal volume value of the drive element passage.