System for automatically producing radioisotopes

Abstract

A system for automatically producing radioisotopes, and including a target carrier; an electrodeposition unit for electrodepositing a target in the target carrier; an irradiation unit for irradiating the target in the target carrier; first transfer means for transferring the target carrier from the electrodeposition unit to the irradiation unit; an electrodissolution unit for electrodissolving the irradiated target; second transfer means for transferring the target carrier from the irradiation unit to the electrodissolution unit; a purifying unit for purifying the radioisotope of the non-reacting target and impurities; third transfer means for transferring the electrodissolved irradiated target from the electrodissolution unit to the purifying unit; and a central control unit for controlling the operating units and transfer means to automate the entire process. The electrodissolution of the irradiated target is carried out without corroding said target carrier.

1 . A system ( 1 ) for automatically producing radioisotopes, characterized by comprising a target carrier ( 8 ); an electrodeposition unit ( 2 ) for electrodepositing a target in said target carrier; an irradiation unit ( 3 ) for irradiating said target in said target carrier ( 8 ); first transfer means ( 5 ,  18 ) for transferring the target carrier from the electrodeposition unit ( 2 ) to the irradiation unit ( 3 ); an electrodissolution unit ( 2 ) for electrodissolving the irradiated target without corroding said target carrier ( 8 ); second transfer means ( 5 ,  18 ) for transferring the target carrier from the irradiation unit ( 3 ) to the electrodissolution unit ( 2 ); a purifying unit ( 4 ) for purifying the radioisotope of the non-reacting target and impurities; third transfer means ( 6 ,  22 ) for transferring the electrodissolved irradiated target from the electrodissolution unit ( 2 ) to the purifying unit ( 4 ); and a central control unit ( 7 ) for controlling the operating units and transfer means to automate the entire process. 
   
   
       2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the electrodeposition unit and the electrodissolution unit comprise the same electrolytic cell ( 2 ); and in that said first transfer means ( 5 ,  18 ) and said second transfer means ( 5 ,  18 ) coincide. 
   
   
       3 . A system as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that said first transfer means ( 5 ) and said second transfer means ( 5 ) comprise a conduit ( 18 ) connected to a pneumatic system and housing said target carrier ( 8 ) in sliding manner. 
   
   
       4 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said target carrier ( 8 ) comprises a cylindrical wall ( 9 ), and a partition wall ( 11 ) inside and perpendicular to the cylindrical wall ( 9 ) to define a first ( 12 ) and a second ( 13 ) cylindrical cavity separate from each other; said first cylindrical cavity ( 12 ) housing the target for irradiation. 
   
   
       5 . A system as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that said cylindrical wall ( 9 ) and said partition wall ( 11 ) are made of aluminium or stainless steel; and in that said first cylindrical cavity ( 12 ) is lined with a coating ( 12   a ) of platinum or niobium or iridium. 
   
   
       6 . A system as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that said electrolysis unit comprises an electrolytic cell ( 19 ); and a heater ( 20 ) which is housed in said second cylindrical cavity ( 13 ) of the target carrier ( 8 ). 
   
   
       7 . A system as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that said electrolytic cell ( 19 ) comprises a platinum electrode ( 23 ); and a disk electrode ( 25 ) made of gold or platinum and which, in use, contacts an edge portion of the coating ( 12   a ) of the first cylindrical cavity ( 12 ) of the target carrier ( 8 ). 
   
   
       8 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said electrolysis unit ( 2 ) is fitted to a supporting structure ( 14 ) comprising a pneumatic gripping head ( 15 ), and a number of supporting members ( 16 ) on which an equal number of target carriers ( 8 ) can be stored. 
   
   
       9 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said irradiation unit ( 3 ) comprises a grip pin ( 31 ); a rotary actuator ( 32 ) connected to the grip pin ( 31 ); and a linear actuator ( 33 ) also connected to the grip pin ( 31 ). 
   
   
       10 . A method of producing radioisotopes, characterized by comprising a first step of electrodepositing a metal isotope for irradiation inside a target carrier ( 8 ) lined with platinum or iridium or niobium; a second step of irradiating the deposited metal isotope; a third step of electrodissolving the irradiated metal isotope and the formed radioisotope without corroding said target carrier ( 8 ); and a fourth step of purifying the radioisotope of the starting metal isotope and any other radioactive and metal impurities. 
   
   
       11 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized in that said third step comprises the participation of a platinum portion free of surface deposits. 
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , characterized in that said platinum portion is part of the lining of said target carrier ( 8 ). 
   
   
       13 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized in that said metal isotope is included in the group comprising 60Ni, 61Ni, 64Ni and 110Cd.