US 2003/0152502 A1 · Method and apparatus for separating ions of metallic elements in aqueous solution

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for separating ions of metallic elements are provided. Preferred methods utilize a hydrophobic chelating extractant, such as an organophosphorus compound, adsorbed onto carbon or graphite fibers in the form of felt. Also described is a new thallium-201 generator that comprises a column containing an acidic organophosphorus extractant adsorbed on carbon or graphite fibers, and a yttrium-90 generator system comprised of two extraction columns designed to selectively absorb yttrium-90 at different pH, to enable the separation of yttrium-90 from strontium-90. The two columns are connected in series for stepwise separation. The yttrium-90 product is freed from residual strontium-90 and metal contaminants and can be eluted from the second column with dilute acid, acetate buffer, water or saline for labeling biological targeted molecules. The new generator system provides rapid and efficient separation of yttrium-90 and is amenable to both scale-up and automation.

Claims87

Dependent claims

A method for separating ions of metallic elements in aqueous solution comprising:

providing an ion exchange comprising a carbon or graphite substrate impregnated with a hydrophobic chelating extractant having a greater affinity, at a selective pH, for ions of a first metallic element than for ions of a second metallic element, wherein said first element is different than said second element;
providing a solution comprising ions of said first and second metallic elements;
and
contacting said ion exchange with said solution at said selective pH for a time sufficient for at least a portion of said ions of said first metallic element to become bound thereto.

1 more element

A method for separating ions of metallic elements in aqueous solution by chromatography comprising:

(a) configuring a chromatographic system comprising first and second separation columns, said first separation column comprising a first ion exchange having a greater affinity for ions of a first metallic element than for ions of a second metallic element at a first selective pH, and said second separation column comprising a second ion exchange having an affinity for said first metallic element at a second selective pH, wherein said first and second selective pHs are different;
(b) providing a feed solution having said first selective pH, said feed solution comprising ions of said first and second metallic elements;
(c) loading said feed solution into said first separation column for a time sufficient to allow at least a portion of the ions of said first metallic element to bind to said first ion exchange;
(d) preparing a first eluant by eluting at least a portion of the ions of said first metallic element from said first ion exchange with a second solution having a pH at which said first ion exchange has substantially no affinity for ions of said first metallic element;
(e) optionally, adjusting the pH of said eluant to said second selective pH, at which said second ion exchange has an affinity for ions of said first metallic element;
(f) loading said eluant into said second separation column for a time sufficient to allow at least a portion of the ions of said first metallic element to bind to said second ion exchange;
(g) preparing a second eluant by eluting at least a portion of the ions of said first metallic element from said second ion exchange with an aqueous solution having a pH at which said second ion exchange has substantially no affinity for ions of said first metallic element.

4 more elements

A chromatographic extraction system comprising:

(a) a first column comprising:
(1) a first body portion having an inlet and an outlet;
(2) a first ion exchange housed within said body portion, said first ion exchange having a greater affinity for ions of a first metallic element than for ions of a second metallic element at a first selective pH;
and
(b) a second column comprising:
(1) a second body portion having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet of said second column is in flow communication with the outlet of said first column;
(2) a second ion exchange housed within said second body portion, said second ion exchange having a greater affinity for ions of said first metallic element than for ions of a second metallic element at a second selective pH, wherein said first and second metallic elements and said first and second pHs are different.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for separating ions of metallic elements in aqueous solution

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for separating ions of metallic elements in aqueous solution

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims87