# US 5,345,477 A · Device and process for the production of nitrogen-13 ammonium ions using a high pressure target containing a dilute solution of ethanol in water

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- Number: US 5,345,477 A
- Document ID: US5345477A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/717,268
- Filed: 1991-06-19
- Granted: 1994-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 1991-06-19
- Assignees: CTI Cyclotron Systems, Inc.
- Inventors: Bruce W. Wieland; Gerald T. Bida; George O. Hendry; Henry C. Padgett
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5345477A

## CPC

- G21G 1/10: by bombardment with electrically charged particles (irradiation devices G21K5/00)
- G21G: CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS; RADIOACTIVE SOURCES (applications of radiation in general G21H5/00; handling particles, e.g. neutrons, or electromagnetic radiation not otherwise provided for G21K)

## Abstract

A system and process for the production of nitrogen-13 ammonium ions from a target material in the form of a dilute solution of ethanol in natural water by the reaction of protons with oxygen-16 within the target material. The system includes a device for producing a proton beam which travels along a preselected path and strikes the target material in a target chamber. This target chamber is positioned in the path of the proton beam such that subjection of the target material to the beam produces nitrogen-13 atoms in a predetermined form. These nitrogen-13 atoms are converted in the aqueous solution to ammonium, ions and oxides and are conducted from the target holder to a purification device for collecting a purified product containing such ammonium ions. A cooling system serves to dissipate heat generated during the production of the nitrogen-13 atoms by the reaction of protons with the oxygen. Other solutes for the target material are discussed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process for the production of nitrogen-13 ammonium ions in an aqueous solution, which comprises:
positioning a target material within a target chamber, said target material consisting essentially of a dilute solution of solute in natural water, said solute selected from the group consisting of ethanol and acetic acid, said target material having a solute:water ratio of about 1:5000;
irradiating said target material within said target chamber with a beam of protons to produce nitrogen-13 atoms by a reaction of said protons with oxygen-16 within said target material, said nitrogen-13 atoms producing nitrogen-13 ammonium ions within said target material in the presence of said solute;
removing heat from said target chamber during said irradiation of said target material with said protons;
flowing said target material, after said irradiation by said protons, from said target chamber with additional target material to separation means to remove said nitrogen-13 ammonium ions from nitrogen-13 oxides in said irradiated target material; and
collecting said nitrogen-13 ammonium ions.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1 wherein said solute is ethanol.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1 further comprising separating said nitrogen-13 oxides from said nitrogen-13 ammonium ions after removing said nitrogen-13 oxides and ammonium ions from said target chamber and prior to said collecting of said nitrogen-13 ammonium ions.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1 further comprising maintaining a pressure upon said target material during said irradiation and during said flowing of said additional target material thereby enhancing efficiency of said irradiation of said target material by said protons.

### Claim 5

A process for the production of nitrogen-13 ammonium ions in an aqueous solution, which comprises:
positioning a target material in a target chamber, said target material consisting essentially of a dilute solution of ethanol in natural water, with an ethanol:water ratio of about 1:5000;
irradiating said target material within said target chamber with a beam of energetic protons to produce nitrogen-13 atoms through the reaction of said protons with oxygen-16 in said target material, said nitrogen-13 atoms producing nitrogen-13 ammonium within said target material in the presence of said ethanol;
removing heat from said target chamber during said irradiation of said target material with said protons;
maintaining said target material under pressure during said irradiating step;
passing additional target material through said target chamber after said irradiating step to remove said nitrogen-13 atoms from said target material as nitrogen-13 ammonium ions and nitrogen-13 oxides in an aqueous solution;
separating said nitrogen-13 ammonium ions from said nitrogen-13 oxides; and
collecting said nitrogen-13 ammonium ions.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The process of claim 4 wherein said pressure maintained upon said target material is about twenty seven atmospheres.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The process of claim 5 wherein said pressure maintained upon said target material is about twenty seven atmospheres.