Automated simultaneous separation system for radionuclides in multiple samples and a method for automatically separating uranium (u) using the same

A method for automatically separating uranium (U) using an automated simultaneous separation system for radionuclides in multiple samples, the method comprising the following steps:

• a first step (preparatory step) of filling all columns (80) with resin for separating of uranium (U) (UTEVA®) to the height of 4 cm, putting each sample in a sample container (10), inserting a PEEK tube for absorbing the sample solution into the lower end portion of the sample container (10) of the corresponding sample number, locating a waste solution recovery tank (100) and an eluate recovery tank (110) at their own position, compressing a cartridge of a 8-channel tubing pump (60) on a roller, opening an inlet port of a solution distributor(40) to open a flow channel of the solution, and preparing a separation step using an OS program which is set to control operations of all parts by a computer using RS-232 control network and a digital input and output PCI card, testing operation of each part in a test mode of the OS program, inputting each separation step in an edit mode of the OS program, and pressing a start button in an execution mode of the OS program in order to execute input separation program;
• a second step (atmosphere creating step) of opening the right port of a first 3-way solenoid valve (50) and the left port of a second 3-way solenoid valve (90), selecting 3M nitric acid (HNO3) by a solution selection valve (30), operating the 8-channel tubing pump (60) at flow speed of 2 mL per minute for 600 seconds by control of a pump speed controller (70) so as to supply about 20 mL of 3M nitric acid to the columns (80), stopping operation of the 8-channel tubing pump (60), and recovering the generated waste solution to the waste solution recovery tank (100);
• a third step (sample injection step) of opening the left port of the first 3-way solenoid valve (50) after completion of the second step, operating the 8-channel tubing pump (60) at flow speed of 1 mL per minute during a time period when the entire injection samples are injected so that the samples are injected into the columns 80 from the sample container 10, and stopping operation of the 8-channel tubing pump (60);
• a fourth step (column cleaning step) of opening the right port of the first 3-way solenoid valve (50), respectively supplying 30 mL of a first solution, 5 mL of a second solution and 20 mL of a third solution into the columns at speed of 2 mL per minute by the solution selection valve 30, and stopping operation of the 8-channel tubing pump (60);
• and
• a fifth step (separation (extraction) step) of opening the right port of the second 3-way solenoid valve (90) in order to change a flow channel of the final eluate, selecting the fourth eluate by the solution selection valve (30), operating the 8-channel tubing pump (60) at speed of 2 mL per minute for 600 seconds so as to extract the entire uranium absorbed on the columns (80) by 20 mL of the eluate, opening the left port of the second 3-way solenoid valve (90), and selecting the fifth solution (water) by the solution selection valve (30), whereby the columns (80) and lines are cleaned and uranium (U) is separated from the sample.

An automated simultaneous separation system for radionuclides in multiple samples, the separation system comprising:

• a sample container (10) for separately containing seven samples;
• a solution supply container (20) for containing a cleaning solution and an eluate necessary for separation of the samples;
• a solution selection valve (30) mounted in front of the solution supply container (20) for selectively injecting a solution necessary for cleaning and extraction;
• a 7-directional solution distributor(40) for distributing a separation solution in seven directions and supplying the separated solutions to seven independent columns;
• first 3-way solenoid valves (50) (SV11, SV21, SV31, SV41, SV 51, SV61 and SV71) connected to a side of the solution distributor(40) and the sample container (10) for controlling flow channels of the samples and the separation solutions;
• a multi-channel tubing pump (60) connected to the other side of the first 3-way solenoid valves (50) for conveying solutions;
• a pump speed controller (70) for controlling speed of the multi-channel tubing pump (60);
• columns (80) containing resin for chemical separation, the columns (80) being used for chemical separation of radionuclides contained in the samples conveyed by the 8-channel tubing pump (60);
• second 3-way solenoid valves (90) (SV12, SV 22, SV32, SV42, SV52, SV62 and SV72) connected to the lower portion of the columns (80) for controlling flow channels of the final eluate;
• a waste solution recovery tank (100) connected to an end of the second 3-way solenoid valve (90);
• an eluate recovery tank (110) for collecting the final eluate;
• and
• an OS program (120) and an interface for controlling each of the parts and automatically controlling the entire system according to input separation program procedures.