Process and apparatus for the production of BI-212 and a use thereof

A process for producing substantially radio-impurity-free Bi-212 comprising the steps of:

• (a) contacting an acidic Pb-212 feed solution with a solid phase-supported extractant having a plurality of binding sites thereon adapted to bind said Pb-212 thereto, to form a Pb-212-laden extractant and less strongly bound contaminants;
• (b) rinsing said Pb-212-laden extractant medium with a second acid solution to remove the less strongly bound contaminants therefrom and to form a substantially impurity-free Pb-212-laden extractant;
• (c) maintaining said substantially radio-impurity-free Pb-212-laden extractant for a predetermined period of time so as to form Bi-212 from said Pb-212 by radioactive decay;
• (d) introducing a third acid solution to said substantially impurity-free Pb-212-laden extractant medium to release said Bi-212 therefrom and form a Bi-212 acid solution;
• and
• (e) eluting said Bi-212 acid solution from said substantially impurity free Pb-212-laden extractant to form a substantially radio-impurity free Bi-212 acid solution.

An apparatus for producing substantially radio-impurity-free Bi-212 from a starting material having Pb-212 or a Pb-212 generating material comprising:

• an extraction medium having a plurality of binding sites thereon, said binding sites having an affinity for binding Pb-212 thereto and having a lower affinity for binding Bi-212 thereto;
• a first acid supply in flow communication with said extraction medium, said acid supply adapted to supply a first acid to carry the Pb-212 to said extraction medium;
• a first vessel adapted to retain said extraction medium and further adapted to maintain contact between said extraction medium and said acid;
• a second acid supply in flow communication with said vessel, said acid supply adapted to supply a second acid to said vessel;
• a mixing chamber in flow communication with said vessel adapted to receive a liquid solution therefrom, said mixing chamber having a plurality of input means connected thereto;
• and
• a discharge line in flow communication with said mixing chamber.