RI production equipment and target storage equipment

A dual cooling system for target storage devices addresses inefficiencies in nuclear reaction efficiency by cooling radioactive isotopes from multiple directions, improving production efficiency and stability.

JP7598278B2Active Publication Date: 2024-12-11SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD
View PDF 8 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021055409
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-03-29
Publication Date
2024-12-11
Estimated Expiration
2041-03-29

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing target storage devices and RI production devices face inefficiencies in cooling, which affect the nuclear reaction efficiency of radioactive isotopes produced using particle beams.

Method used

The implementation of a dual cooling system with a first flow path cooling the target from one side of the particle beam irradiation axis and a second flow path cooling from the outside via a wall section around the irradiation axis, enhancing cooling efficiency by cooling from different directions.

Benefits of technology

This dual cooling system improves the cooling efficiency of the target, thereby enhancing the nuclear reaction efficiency and preventing evaporation or liquefaction of the target material, thus optimizing the production of radioactive isotopes.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 0007598278000001
    Figure 0007598278000001
  • Figure 0007598278000002
    Figure 0007598278000002
  • Figure 0007598278000003
    Figure 0007598278000003
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a target storage device capable of improving cooling efficiency and RI production apparatus capable of improving efficiency of nuclear reaction.SOLUTION: An RI production apparatus 1 includes cooling passages 46 and 48 allowing cooling media to flow in order to cool a storage part 3 via heat-transfer walls 41 and 42 provided around an irradiation axis RL with respect to the storage part 3, from the outer peripheral sides of the heat-transfer walls 41 and 42. In this case, by passing the cooling media to the cooling passages 46 and 48, a target in the storage part 3 can be cooled via the heat transfer walls 41 and 42 around the irradiation axis RL, from a part further outside the storage part, with the irradiation axis used as a reference. This configuration can thus cool the target from different directions by internal spaces 31A and 31B and the cooling passages 46 and 48.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a target containment device. [Background technology]

[0002] Radioisotopes used in the testing agents for PET (Positron Emission Tomography) tests are produced using a radiation source such as a cyclotron installed near the testing room in the hospital. Specifically, a particle beam (e.g., a proton beam, a deuteron beam, or other particle beam) from the radiation source is guided to a target holding device, and a target (e.g., target water ( 18 Radioisotopes are produced by nuclear reactions with fluorine (O) and water. These radioisotopes are then incorporated into a specific compound (e.g., fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)) or partially substituted to produce a drug for testing.

[0003] As an RI manufacturing device for producing such radioisotopes, a device is known that is equipped with a container for containing a liquid target and a flow path for cooling the container from one side of the irradiation axis of the particle beam (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-246131 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, the target becomes hot when irradiated with particle beams. In response to this, the efficiency of the nuclear reaction can be improved by improving the cooling efficiency of the target. Therefore, there has been a demand for a target accommodation device that can improve the cooling efficiency, and an RI production device that can improve the efficiency of the nuclear reaction.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide a target accommodation device capable of improving cooling efficiency, and an RI production device capable of improving the efficiency of nuclear reactions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an RI manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is an RI manufacturing apparatus that produces a radioisotope by a nuclear reaction of a target irradiated with a particle beam, and includes a storage section that stores the target at the irradiation position of the particle beam, a first flow path that allows a cooling medium to flow so as to cool the storage section from one side relative to the irradiation axis of the particle beam, and a second flow path that allows a cooling medium to flow through at least a part of a wall section provided around the irradiation axis of the storage section, so as to cool the storage section from the outside of the storage section with respect to the irradiation axis.

[0008] The RI manufacturing device includes a first flow path that allows a cooling medium to flow so as to cool the storage unit from one side relative to the irradiation axis of the particle beam. Thereby, by flowing the cooling medium through the first flow path, the target in the storage unit can be cooled from one side relative to the irradiation axis. Furthermore, the RI manufacturing device includes a second flow path that allows a cooling medium to flow so as to cool the storage unit from the outside of the storage unit with respect to the irradiation axis as a reference, through at least a part of a wall portion provided around the irradiation axis with respect to the storage unit. In this case, by flowing the cooling medium through the second flow path, the target in the storage unit can be cooled by removing heat from the storage unit from the inside to the outside with respect to the irradiation axis through the wall portion around the irradiation axis. In this way, the first flow path and the second flow path make it possible to cool the target from different directions. Therefore, the cooling efficiency of the target can be improved, and thereby the efficiency of the nuclear reaction of the target can be improved.

[0009] The second flow path may be capable of cooling a portion of the container that can contain the liquid target. In this case, the second flow path can suppress evaporation of the liquid target by cooling the liquid target that becomes hot when irradiated with the particle beam. This can improve the efficiency of the nuclear reaction of the liquid target.

[0010] The second flow path may be capable of cooling a portion of the container that can accommodate the gas target. In this case, the second flow path can liquefy the gas target by cooling it. Therefore, by increasing the amount of the liquid target, the efficiency of the nuclear reaction can be improved.

[0011] The container has a first container part capable of containing a liquid target, and a second container part communicating with the first container part and capable of containing a gas target, and the second flow path may be capable of cooling the container part from the opposite side of the first flow path with respect to the irradiation axis, sandwiching the second container part. In this case, the liquid target in the first container part is evaporated by being irradiated with a particle beam, and accumulates as a gas target in the second container part. In contrast, the first flow path and the second flow path can cool the gas target from both sides of the irradiation axis. This allows the gas target to be liquefied by cooling, and returned to the first container part as a liquid target. Therefore, the efficiency of the nuclear reaction can be improved by increasing the amount of the liquid target.

[0012] The second flow path may be provided with a member that blocks the flow of the cooling medium. In this case, the member blocks the flow of the cooling medium in the second flow path, thereby changing the laminar flow into a turbulent flow, thereby improving the cooling efficiency.

[0013] A target containment device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a target containment device that contains a target that can produce a radioisotope through a nuclear reaction when irradiated with a particle beam, and includes a containment section that contains the target, a first flow path that allows a cooling medium to flow so as to cool the containment section from one side relative to the irradiation axis of the particle beam when the target is irradiated with the particle beam, and a second flow path that allows a cooling medium to flow through at least a portion of a wall section provided around the irradiation axis of the containment section so as to cool the containment section from the outer circumferential side of the wall section.

[0014] The target accommodation device includes a first flow path that allows a cooling medium to flow so as to cool the accommodation unit from one side relative to the irradiation axis of the particle beam. Thereby, by flowing the cooling medium through the first flow path, the target in the accommodation unit can be cooled from one side relative to the irradiation axis. Furthermore, the target accommodation device includes a second flow path that allows a cooling medium to flow so as to cool the accommodation unit from the outside of the accommodation unit with respect to the irradiation axis through at least a part of a wall portion provided around the irradiation axis with respect to the accommodation unit. In this case, by flowing the cooling medium through the second flow path, the target in the accommodation unit can be cooled from the outer periphery side through the wall portion around the irradiation axis. In this way, the first flow path and the second flow path make it possible to cool the target from different directions. Therefore, the cooling efficiency of the target can be improved. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a target accommodation device capable of improving cooling efficiency, and an RI production device capable of improving the efficiency of nuclear reactions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an RI production apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the RI production device. [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the target storage device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a target containing device. [Diagram 5] 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a cooling medium in the target accommodation device. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an RI manufacturing apparatus 1. The RI manufacturing apparatus 1 is equipped with a target storage device 10 which is an embodiment of the RI manufacturing apparatus of the present invention. The RI manufacturing apparatus 1 manufactures radioisotopes (RI). The RI manufacturing apparatus 1 can be used, for example, as a cyclotron for PET, and the RI manufactured by the RI manufacturing apparatus 1 is used, for example, to manufacture radiopharmaceuticals (including radiopharmaceuticals) which are radioisotope-labeled compounds (RI compounds). Radioisotope-labeled compounds used in PET examinations (positron emission tomography examinations) in hospitals, etc. include: 18 F-FLT (fluorothymidine), 18 F-FMISO (fluorosonidazole), 11 C-raclopride, etc.

[0019] The RI production apparatus 1 is a so-called self-shielded particle accelerator system, and includes an accelerator (cyclotron) 2 that accelerates charged particles, and a self-shield 6 that is a radiation shield (wall) that surrounds the accelerator 2 to block radiation. In the internal space S formed to be surrounded by the self-shield 6, in addition to the accelerator 2, a target accommodation device 10 used to produce RI, a vacuum pump 4 for creating a vacuum inside the accelerator 2, and the like are arranged. Furthermore, the internal space is also arranged with accessories necessary for operating the accelerator 2, auxiliary equipment used to cool the target accommodation device 10, and the like.

[0020] The accelerator 2 is a so-called vertical cyclotron, and has a pair of magnetic poles, a vacuum box, and an annular yoke surrounding the pair of magnetic poles and the vacuum box. The pair of magnetic poles face each other with a predetermined gap between their upper surfaces inside the vacuum box. Charged particles such as hydrogen ions are multiple-accelerated in the gap between the pair of magnetic poles. The vacuum pump 4 is used to maintain a vacuum environment inside the accelerator 2, and is fixed, for example, to a side of the accelerator 2. The accelerator 2 emits a charged particle beam in the irradiation direction indicated by the arrow B in the figure.

[0021] The target accommodation device 10 receives the charged particle beam irradiated from the accelerator 2 to produce RI, and contains raw materials (e.g., target water; 18 An accommodation section for accommodating O (water) is formed. The target accommodation device 10 is generally fixed to the side of the accelerator 2 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The RI production apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes two target accommodation devices 10 arranged on both sides of the accelerator 2. For example, the target accommodation device 10 arranged on the left side of the figure is arranged on the upper stage side, and the target accommodation device 10 arranged on the right side of the figure is arranged on the lower stage side (see Fig. 2). The target accommodation devices 10 are covered by a target shield 7 provided on the accelerator 2. The self-shield 6 is made up of a plurality of parts and is formed to cover the accelerator 2 and the target accommodation devices 10.

[0022] Next, the target accommodation device 10 provided in the RI manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the target accommodation device 10 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the target accommodation device 10 cut at the position of the irradiation axis RL. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a part of the target accommodation device 10. Fig. 3 will be mainly referred to, and Fig. 4 will also be referred to.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the target accommodation device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a foil 2, an accommodation unit 3, and cooling mechanisms 4A and 4B. The radioisotope manufacturing apparatus includes the above-mentioned target accommodation device 10 and an accelerator (not shown). For example, a cyclotron or the like is used as the accelerator, and the accelerator generates a charged particle beam (hereinafter, referred to as a "particle beam"). The generated particle beam B is irradiated to the target accommodation device 10 along an irradiation axis RL. Examples of the particle beam B irradiated to the target accommodation device 10 include particle beams such as proton beams and deuteron beams. The target accommodation device 10 is mounted on an outlet from which the particle beam B of the accelerator is output via a manifold (not shown) arranged between the target accommodation device 10 and the accelerator. In the following description, the direction in which the irradiation axis RL extends may be referred to as a depth direction D1 of the target accommodation device 10. In addition, the side in the depth direction D1 where the particle beam B is irradiated (the upstream side in the traveling direction of the particle beam) may be referred to as the front side of the target accommodating device 10, and the opposite side may be referred to as the rear side of the target accommodating device 10. In addition, the direction perpendicular to the depth direction D1 and the up-down direction of the target accommodating device 10 may be referred to as the width direction D2.

[0024] Furthermore, when explaining the positional relationship, the terms "outside" and "inside" based on the irradiation axis RL may be used. The outside based on the irradiation axis RL is the side that is farther away from the irradiation axis RL in a direction perpendicular to the irradiation axis RL. The outside based on the irradiation axis RL may be simply referred to as the "outer periphery side". The inside based on the irradiation axis RL is the side that is closer to the irradiation axis RL in a direction perpendicular to the irradiation axis RL. The inside based on the irradiation axis RL may be simply referred to as the "inner periphery side".

[0025] The target accommodating device 10 has, for example, a cylindrical outer shape. The target accommodating device 10 includes a target container 12 for mainly forming the accommodating section 3, a cooling mechanism forming member 13 for mainly forming the cooling mechanism 4A, and an inner ring 14 and an outer ring 15 for mainly forming the cooling mechanism 4B. The front flange 11, the target container 12, and the cooling mechanism forming member 13 are configured with metal block bodies. The front flange 11, the target container 12, and the cooling mechanism forming member 13 are stacked in order from the front side to the rear side in the depth direction D1.

[0026] The foil 2 is a member that divides the accommodation section 3 at the front side. The foil 2 is provided with respect to the target container 12. The foil 2 allows the particle beam B to pass through while blocking the passage of fluids such as the liquid target 101 and He gas. Therefore, the particle beam B is irradiated to the foil 2, and then passes through the foil 2 to be irradiated to the liquid target 101. For example, He gas is sprayed onto the front surface of the foil 2 and used as a cooling gas for the foil 2. The foil 2 is a thin foil formed of a metal or alloy such as Ti, and has a thickness of about 10 μm to 50 μm. The foil 2 is provided so as to cover at least the entire area of ​​the accommodation section 3.

[0027] The accommodation section 3 is a portion for accommodating the liquid target 101. The accommodation section 3 is configured by a space surrounded by a recess 22 formed in the target vessel 12, a cavity 25 formed in the target vessel 12 and communicating with the recess 22, and the foil 2. The target vessel 12 can be made of, for example, Nb. The accommodation section 3 contains the following as the liquid target 101: 18O (target water) is sealed in the recess 22. The recess 22 is recessed from, for example, a fixing surface 12a to which the foil 2 is fixed, toward the rear side in the depth direction D1 of the front surface of the target container 12. The recess 22 has a bottom surface 22a and a peripheral surface 22b extending from the outer periphery of the bottom surface 22a toward the front side in the depth direction D1. The storage section 3 is circular when viewed from the depth direction D1 (see FIG. 4). The hollow portion 25 is a space extending obliquely upward from the upper end of the recess 22. The hollow portion 25 is inclined so as to extend upward toward the rear side in the depth direction D1. The hollow portion 25 communicates with the upper end of the recess 22. When viewed from the depth direction D1, the hollow portion 25 has a fan-like shape (see FIG. 5).

[0028] The target container 12 is formed with a gas inlet hole (not shown) for introducing an inert gas (e.g., He gas) into the container 3. The target container 12 is formed with a circulation hole 26 (see FIG. 4) that is used when filling the container 3 with the liquid target 101 and when discharging the liquid target 101 from the container 3.

[0029] The accommodation unit 3 has a first accommodation portion E1 for accommodating the liquid target 101, and a second accommodation portion E2 above the first accommodation portion E1 for receiving a gas target resulting from evaporation of the boiled liquid target 101. The second accommodation portion E2 is formed continuously above the first accommodation portion E1. Here, the space formed by the recess 22 corresponds to the first accommodation portion E1, and the space formed by the hollow portion 25 corresponds to the second accommodation portion E2.

[0030] The cooling mechanism 4A cools the accommodation portion 3 with a cooling medium on the side opposite to the irradiation direction of the particle beam B irradiated to the liquid target 101 (i.e., the rear side). The cooling mechanism 4A includes a first cooling section 30A that cools the first accommodation portion E1 and a second cooling section 30B that cools the second accommodation portion E2. The first cooling section 30A includes a nozzle section 32A arranged in the first internal space 31A (first flow path). The second cooling section 30B includes a nozzle section 32B arranged in the second internal space 31B (first flow path).

[0031] The first internal space 31A and the second internal space 31B are spaces for flowing a cooling medium therein. The first internal space 31A and the second internal space 31B are formed by a space between the target container 12 and the cooling mechanism forming member 13 by attaching the cooling mechanism forming member 13 to the recess 30 on the rear side of the target container 12. The first internal space 31A is formed on the rear side in the depth direction D1 with respect to the first housing part E1 of the housing part 3. The second internal space 31B is formed on the rear side in the depth direction D1 with respect to the second housing part E2 of the housing part 3. That is, the second internal space 31B is provided on the upper side of the first internal space 31A. A heat transfer wall part 34A is provided between the internal space 31A and the first housing part E1. A heat transfer wall part 34B is provided between the internal space 31B and the second housing part E2. The first internal space 31A and the second internal space 31B are partitioned from each other by a partition wall 36.

[0032] The first nozzle portion 32A is a member that injects the cooling medium to the heat transfer wall portion 34A between the first nozzle portion 32A and the first storage portion E1. The first nozzle portion 32A injects the cooling medium perpendicularly to the heat transfer wall portion 34. The first nozzle portion 32A is spaced apart from the heat transfer wall portion 34. The second nozzle portion 32B is a member that injects the cooling medium to the heat transfer wall portion 34B between the second nozzle portion 32A and the second storage portion E2. The second nozzle portion 32B injects the cooling medium perpendicularly to the heat transfer wall portion 34B. The second nozzle portion 32B is spaced apart from the heat transfer wall portion 34B.

[0033] Next, the cooling mechanism 4B will be described. First, the inner ring 14 is attached to the target vessel 12 so as to surround the container 3 around the irradiation axis RL. Therefore, the target vessel 12 is formed with a circular recess 40 so that the inner ring 14 can be attached from the outer periphery (see FIG. 4 in particular). The inner ring 14 has a half-split structure divided into semicircular members 14A and 14B, and is attached to the recess 40 from the outer periphery (see FIG. 5). The inner ring 14 has a circular ring shape with a substantially rectangular cross section. However, at a location corresponding to the hollow portion 25, the inner diameter of the inner ring 14 is partially reduced (see FIG. 5), and an inclined surface 14b is formed on the inner periphery (see FIG. 4). The target vessel 12 is formed with a seat 40a facing the inner ring 14 on the rear side. The outer ring 15 is attached to the seat 40a so as to support the inner ring 14 attached to the recess 40 from the outer periphery.

[0034] The target vessel 12 has a wall portion facing the inner peripheral surface 14a of the inner ring 14 at the position of the recess 22 of the accommodation section 3. The wall portion is configured as a heat transfer wall portion 41 formed around the irradiation axis RL of the first accommodation section E1. The heat transfer wall portion 41 is formed as a cylindrical thin wall portion. The target vessel 12 also has a wall portion facing the inclined surface 14b of the inner ring 14 at the position of the hollow section 25. The wall portion is configured as a heat transfer wall portion 42 formed around the irradiation axis RL of the second accommodation section E2. The heat transfer wall portion 41 is formed as a thin wall portion at a position facing the heat transfer wall portion 34B on the outer circumferential side. When viewed from the depth direction, the heat transfer wall portion 42 is formed in a fan shape, and the heat transfer wall portion 41 is formed on the entire circumference of the portion other than the heat transfer wall portion 42 (see FIG. 5). Between the heat transfer wall portion 41 and the heat transfer wall portion 42, a step wall portion 44 is formed which rises from the seating surface 40a toward the heat transfer wall portion 42 (see FIG. 5).

[0035] A cooling flow passage 46 (second flow passage) for flowing a cooling medium is formed between the heat transfer wall portion 41 around the first storage portion E1 and the inner peripheral surface 14a of the inner ring 14. The first storage portion E1 of the storage portion 3 is provided on the inside of the heat transfer wall portion 41 with respect to the irradiation axis RL. The cooling flow passage 46 is also provided on the outside of the heat transfer wall portion 41 with respect to the irradiation axis RL. Therefore, the cooling flow passage 46 can circulate the cooling medium through the heat transfer wall portion 41 provided around the irradiation axis RL with respect to the storage portion 3 so as to cool the first storage portion E1 of the storage portion 3 from the outside of the first storage portion E1 of the storage portion 3 with respect to the irradiation axis RL. The cooling flow passage 46 can circulate the cooling medium through the heat transfer wall portion 41 provided around the irradiation axis RL with respect to the storage portion 3 so as to cool the first storage portion E1 of the storage portion 3 from the outer circumferential side of the heat transfer wall portion 41. The cooling flow passage 46 is capable of cooling a first storage portion E1 of the storage unit 3 capable of storing the liquid target 101. According to this configuration, the cooling flow passage 46 is capable of circulating a cooling medium through the heat transfer wall portion 41 so as to remove heat from the first storage portion E1 of the storage unit 3 from the inside to the outside with respect to the irradiation axis RL.

[0036] A cooling flow passage 48 (second flow passage) for flowing a cooling medium is formed between the heat transfer wall portion 42 around the second storage portion E2 and the inclined surface 14b of the inner ring 14. The second storage portion E2 of the storage portion 3 is provided on the inside of the heat transfer wall portion 42 with respect to the irradiation axis RL. The cooling flow passage 48 is also provided on the outside of the heat transfer wall portion 42 with respect to the irradiation axis RL. Therefore, the cooling flow passage 48 can circulate the cooling medium through the heat transfer wall portion 42 provided around the irradiation axis RL with respect to the storage portion 3 so as to cool the second storage portion E2 of the storage portion 3 from the outside of the second storage portion E2 of the storage portion 3 with respect to the irradiation axis RL. The cooling flow passage 48 can circulate the cooling medium through the heat transfer wall portion 42 provided around the irradiation axis RL with respect to the storage portion 3 so as to cool the second storage portion E2 of the storage portion 3 from the outer circumferential side of the heat transfer wall portion 42. The cooling flow passage 48 can cool the second storage portion E2 of the storage unit 3, which can store the gas target 102. The cooling flow passage 48 can cool the second storage portion E2 of the storage unit 3 from the opposite side of the internal space 31B with respect to the irradiation axis RL across the second storage portion E2. According to this configuration, the cooling flow passage 48 can circulate a cooling medium through the heat transfer wall portion 42 so as to remove heat from the second storage portion E2 of the storage unit 3 from the inside to the outside with respect to the irradiation axis RL. Note that the second internal space 31B can circulate a cooling medium through the heat transfer wall portion 34B provided around the irradiation axis RL with respect to the storage unit 3 so as to cool the second storage portion E2 of the storage unit 3 from the inside of the second storage portion E2 of the storage unit 3 with respect to the irradiation axis RL. The second internal space 31B allows a cooling medium to flow through the heat transfer wall portion 34B so as to extract heat from the second accommodation portion E2 of the accommodation unit 3 from the outside to the inside with respect to the irradiation axis RL.

[0037] A flow passage 47 communicating with the cooling flow passage 46 is formed between the seat surface 40a and the inner ring 14. The flow passage 47 communicates with a cooling medium supply pipe 51 and a discharge pipe 52. Therefore, the flow passage 47 supplies and recovers the cooling medium to and from the cooling flow passages 46, 48.

[0038] Next, the flow of the cooling medium through the cooling passages 46, 48 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. The supply pipe 51 and the discharge pipe 52 are provided in an area near the lower end of the seat surface 40a. A partition wall 54 for blocking the flow of the cooling medium is provided between the supply pipe 51 and the discharge pipe 52. First, the cooling medium supplied from the supply pipe 51 flows through the passage 47 (F1) and is supplied to the cooling passage 46. As a result, a part of the cooling medium flows through the cooling passage 46 (F2). At the step wall portion 44, the cooling medium flows over the step wall portion 44 (F3) and is supplied to the cooling passage 48. As a result, the cooling medium flows through the cooling passage 48 (F4). At the next step wall portion 44, the cooling medium flows down the step wall portion 44 (F5) and is supplied to the cooling passages 46 and the passage 47. This causes the cooling medium to flow through the cooling flow passage 46 (F6) and then through the cooling flow passage 46 (F7).

[0039] Next, the actions and effects of the RI manufacturing apparatus 1 and the target accommodation device 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0040] The RI manufacturing device 1 includes internal spaces 31A and 31B through which a cooling medium can flow so as to cool the storage unit 3 from one side (rear side) with respect to the irradiation axis RL of the particle beam B. With this, by flowing the cooling medium in the internal spaces 31A and 31B, the target in the storage unit 3 can be cooled from one side with respect to the irradiation axis RL. Furthermore, the RI manufacturing device 1 includes cooling channels 46 and 48 through which a cooling medium can flow so as to cool the storage unit 3 from the outside of the storage unit 3 with respect to the irradiation axis RL via the heat transfer wall parts 41 and 42 provided around the irradiation axis RL with respect to the storage unit 3. In this case, by flowing the cooling medium in the cooling channels 46 and 48, the target in the storage unit 3 can be cooled by removing heat from the storage unit 3 from the inside to the outside with respect to the irradiation axis RL via the heat transfer wall parts 41 and 42 around the irradiation axis RL. In this way, the internal spaces 31A and 31B and the cooling channels 46 and 48 make it possible to cool the target from different directions. Therefore, the cooling efficiency of the target can be improved, and thus the efficiency of the nuclear reaction in the target can be improved.

[0041] The cooling flow passage 46 may be capable of cooling the first accommodation portion E1 of the accommodation unit 3, which is capable of accommodating the liquid target 101. In this case, the cooling flow passage 46 can suppress evaporation of the liquid target 101 by cooling the liquid target 101 which becomes hot due to irradiation with the particle beam B. Therefore, the efficiency of the nuclear reaction of the liquid target 101 can be improved.

[0042] The cooling flow passage 48 may be capable of cooling the second accommodation portion E2 of the accommodation unit 3, which is capable of accommodating the gas target 102. In this case, the cooling flow passage 48 can liquefy the gas target 102 by cooling it. Therefore, by increasing the amount of the liquid target 101, the efficiency of the nuclear reaction can be improved.

[0043] The accommodation unit 3 has a first accommodation portion E1 capable of accommodating the liquid target 101, and a second accommodation portion E2 communicating with the first accommodation portion E1 and capable of accommodating the gas target 102, and the cooling passage 48 may be capable of cooling the accommodation unit 3 from the opposite side of the second accommodation portion E2 to the internal space 31B with respect to the irradiation axis RL. In this case, the liquid target 101 in the first accommodation portion E1 is evaporated by being irradiated with the particle beam B, and is accumulated as the gas target 102 in the second accommodation portion E2. In contrast, the internal space 31B and the cooling passage 48 can cool the gas target 102 from both sides with respect to the irradiation axis RL. Thereby, the gas target 102 can be liquefied by cooling and returned to the first accommodation portion E1 as the liquid target 101. Therefore, the efficiency of the nuclear reaction can be improved by increasing the amount of the liquid target 101.

[0044] The target accommodation device 10 also includes internal spaces 31A and 31B through which a cooling medium can flow so as to cool the accommodation unit 3 from one side (rear side) with respect to the irradiation axis RL of the particle beam B. As a result, by flowing the cooling medium in the internal spaces 31A and 31B, the target in the accommodation unit 3 can be cooled from one side with respect to the irradiation axis RL. Furthermore, the target accommodation device 10 includes cooling channels 46 and 48 through which a cooling medium can flow so as to cool the accommodation unit 3 from the outside of the accommodation unit 3 with respect to the irradiation axis RL via the heat transfer wall parts 41 and 42 provided around the irradiation axis RL with respect to the accommodation unit 3. In this case, by flowing the cooling medium in the cooling channels 46 and 48, the target in the accommodation unit 3 can be cooled by removing heat from the accommodation unit 3 from the inside to the outside with respect to the irradiation axis RL via the heat transfer wall parts 41 and 42 around the irradiation axis RL. In this way, the internal spaces 31A and 31B and the cooling channels 46 and 48 make it possible to cool the target from different directions. Therefore, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency of the target, and thereby the efficiency of the nuclear reaction in the target can be improved.Therefore, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency of the target.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0046] For example, the cooling passages 46, 48 may be provided with a member that obstructs the flow of the cooling medium. In this case, the member obstructs the flow of the cooling medium in the cooling passages 46, 48, thereby changing the laminar flow to a turbulent flow, and thus improving the cooling efficiency. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a member 60 that obstructs the flow of the cooling medium is provided on at least one of the inner circumferential surface 14a of the inner ring 14 and the heat transfer wall portion 41. In this case, a slit is formed in the cooling passage 46 by the member 60. The flow is obstructed by such a slit structure, and the cooling medium becomes turbulent.

[0047] The specific structures of the RI manufacturing apparatus and the target accommodation device of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0048] At least one of the cooling passages 46, 48 needs to be provided, and the other may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1...RL manufacturing apparatus, 3...accommodation section, 10...target accommodation device, 31A, 31B...internal space (first flow path), heat transfer wall section...41, 42, 46, 48...cooling flow path (second flow path).

Claims

1. An RI production apparatus for producing a radioisotope by a nuclear reaction of a target irradiated with a particle beam, comprising: a container for containing the target at the irradiation position of the particle beam; a first flow path through which a cooling medium can flow so as to cool the accommodation portion from one side with respect to an irradiation axis of the particle beam; A second flow path that allows a cooling medium to flow through at least a part of a wall portion provided around the irradiation axis of the storage portion so as to cool the storage portion from an outer side of the storage portion with respect to the irradiation axis; The RI manufacturing apparatus, wherein the second flow path is capable of cooling a portion of the accommodation portion capable of accommodating a gas target.

2. An RI production apparatus for producing a radioisotope by a nuclear reaction of a target irradiated with a particle beam, comprising: a container for containing the target at the irradiation position of the particle beam; a first flow path through which a cooling medium can flow so as to cool the accommodation portion from one side with respect to an irradiation axis of the particle beam; A second flow path that allows a cooling medium to flow through at least a part of a wall portion provided around the irradiation axis of the storage portion so as to cool the storage portion from an outer side of the storage portion with respect to the irradiation axis; The RI manufacturing apparatus, wherein the accommodation portion has a portion capable of accommodating a liquid target and a portion capable of accommodating a gas target.

3. The RI manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second flow path is capable of cooling a portion of the accommodation portion capable of accommodating a liquid target.

4. The RI manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second flow passage is provided with a member for obstructing the flow of the cooling medium.

5. A target accommodation device that accommodates a target capable of producing a radioisotope through a nuclear reaction by being irradiated with a particle beam, A container that contains the target; a first flow path through which a cooling medium can flow so as to cool the accommodation portion from one side with respect to an irradiation axis of the particle beam when the particle beam is irradiated to the target; A second flow path that allows a cooling medium to flow through at least a part of a wall portion provided around the irradiation axis of the storage portion so as to cool the storage portion from an outer side of the storage portion with respect to the irradiation axis; The second flow path is capable of cooling a portion of the accommodation portion capable of accommodating a gas target.

6. A target accommodation device that accommodates a target capable of producing a radioisotope through a nuclear reaction by being irradiated with a particle beam, A container that contains the target; a first flow path through which a cooling medium can flow so as to cool the accommodation portion from one side with respect to an irradiation axis of the particle beam when the particle beam is irradiated to the target; A second flow path that allows a cooling medium to flow through at least a part of a wall portion provided around the irradiation axis of the storage portion so as to cool the storage portion from an outer side of the storage portion with respect to the irradiation axis; The container has a portion capable of containing a liquid target and a portion capable of containing a gas target.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Method of repeatedly using target for forming h18f

    JP1988193095A

  • Liquid passage device

    JP1997310703A

  • Apparatus and method for producing radioisotopes

    JP2006509202A

  • Ri manufacturing apparatus

    JP2013246131A

  • Neutron generation target device and boron neutron capture therapy system

    JP2017069018A