Liquid Radium-226 Target Apparatus for Actinium-225 Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for producing Actinium-225 (Ac-225) using a powder-type radium-226 (Ra-226) target result in significant quantitative loss and pose challenges in disposal and storage due to Ra-226's long half-life and radioactive decay products, including radon, which is also a radioactive gas.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing a liquid target with a chamber, vial, syringe pump, and exhaust unit to minimize Ra-226 loss and safely dispose of radon, featuring shielding boxes, flow paths, and valves to manage the nuclear reaction process and radon gas, allowing for the reuse of liquefied Ra-226 and separation of Ac-225.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If powder-type Ra-226 target is used for Ac-225 production, then the nuclear reaction can proceed, but significant quantitative loss of Ra-226 occurs during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of Ra-226 from solid powder to liquid form. This parameter change eliminates the need for melting and powder preparation steps, thereby preventing Ra-226 loss during these processing stages while maintaining the ability to perform nuclear reactions for Ac-225 production
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the liquid phase of Ra-226 instead of solid powder form. By maintaining Ra-226 in a liquefied state throughout the production process, the system avoids phase transition steps that cause material loss, improving overall Ra-226 utilization efficiency
2Manufacturing precision
If Ra-226 is processed through melting and powder formation, then Ac-225 can be separated and purified, but additional Ra-226 loss occurs during these conventional processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains Ra-226 in a liquid state throughout the separation and purification process, eliminating the need to convert to powder form. This approach preserves Ra-226 while still enabling effective Ac-225 separation and purification through liquid-phase processing techniques
3Productivity
If Ra-226 is stored and reused in powder form, then production can continue, but radon gas generated during decay is difficult to dispose of safely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts radon gas from the liquid Ra-226 target system through dedicated exhaust pathways. By separating and removing radon gas during the production process, the system prevents radon accumulation and enables safe continuous operation while maintaining Ac-225 production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces inert gas as an intermediary to facilitate radon removal from the liquid target. The inert gas helps transport and vent radon away from the Ra-226, enabling safe handling and continuous production without radon accumulation hazards
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus minimizes quantitative loss of Ra-226 and ensures safe disposal of radon, improving the efficiency and safety of Ac-225 production by maintaining the reactants in a liquefied state and utilizing inert gases for handling and storage.
Implementation Method 1
a syringe pump which is driven to suck a liquid material accommodated in the vial before the nuclear reaction process and enable the sucked liquid material to be supplied to the chamber
Implementation Method 2
a nuclear reaction of 226Ra(p, 2n)225Ac to produce actinium-225
Implementation Method 3
Ra-226 has a long half-life of about 1,600 years at present, and releases radon, i.e., an inert gas in the decay process
Implementation Method 4
a first shielding box which accommodates the vial in an inner space thereof to prevent leakage of the radioactive gas to the outside when the radioactive gas is flown out of the vial
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provide an apparatus for producing a nuclide by using a liquid target which can perform the nuclear reaction process and can discharge the radioactive gas such as Radon within the vial. As described above, an apparatus for producing a nuclide by using a liquid target according to the present disclosure can minimize quantitative loss of a reactant by performing the nuclear reaction process using a target of a liquefied state and reusing a liquefied target on which the nuclear reaction process has not been performed, and can improve safety by enabling the radioactive gas generated to be disposed.