Method of separation of yttrium-90 from strontium-90
A method is described for purifying Y-90 from a Sr-90/Y-90 ``cow`` wherein raw Sr-90/Y-90 source containing impurities is obtained from nuclear material reprocessing. Raw Sr-90/Y-90 source is purified to a fresh Sr-90/Y-90 source ``cow`` by removing impurities by addition of sodium hydroxide and by removing Cs-137 by further addition of sodium carbonate. The ``cow`` is set aside to allow ingrowth. An HDEHP organic extractant is obtained from a commercial supplier and further purified by saturation with Cu(II), precipitation with acetone, and washing with nitric acid. The ``cow`` is then dissolved in nitric acid and the purified HDEHP is washed with nitric acid and scrubbed with either nitric or hydrochloric acid. The dissolved ``cow`` and scrubbed HDEHP are combined in an organic extraction, separating Y-90 from Sr-90, resulting in a Sr-90/Y-90 concentration ratio of not more than 10(E-7), and a metal impurity concentration of not more than 10 ppm per curie of Y-90. The separated Y-90 may then be prepared for delivery. 1 fig.
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Memorial Institute
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- Assignee:
- Battelle Memorial Inst., Richland, WA (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5,512,256/A/
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-267,649
- OSTI ID:
- 224973
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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