Purification of thorium from uranium-233 process residue

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1999 · Separation Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1081/SS-100100692· OSTI ID:354462

Webb, O F; Boll, R A; Lucero, A J; DePaoli, D W ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)

Thorium-229 can be used to produce {sup 213}Bi. Researchers in phase 1 human trials are investigating the use of antibodies labeled with {sup 213}Bi for selectively destroying leukemia cells. Other types of cancer may potentially be treated using similar approaches. Crude {sup 229}Th was liberated from Rachig rings by sonication in 7.5 M HNO{sub 3} followed by filtration. Contaminants included significant levels of uranium, a number of other metals, and radiolytic by-products of di-(2-butyl) phosphoric acid extractant (which was used i the original separation of {sup 233}U from thorium). Thorium was selectively retained on Reillex HPQ anion-exchange resin from 7.5 M HNO{sub 3} at 65%, where U(VI), Ac(III), Fe(III), Al(III), Ra(II), and Pb(II) were eluted. Thorium and uranium isotherms on Reillex HPQ are reported. The thorium was then easily eluted form the bed with 0.1 M HNO{sub 3}. To overcome mass transfer limitations of the resin, the separation was conducted at 65 C. The resin stood up well to use over several campaigns. Other researchers have reported that HPQ has excellent radiological and chemical stability. The eluted thorium was further purified by hydroxide precipitation from the organic contaminants. This process yielded 65 mCi of {sup 229}Th.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-96OR22464
• OSTI ID: 354462
• Report Number(s): CONF-9710103--
• Journal Information: Separation Science and Technology, Journal Name: Separation Science and Technology Journal Issue: 6-7 Vol. 34; ISSN 0149-6395; ISSN SSTEDS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

40 CHEMISTRY
55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
ACTINIUM
ADSORPTION
ADSORPTION ISOTHERMS
ALUMINIUM
BISMUTH 213
ELUTRIATION
ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS
IRON
LEAD
PRECIPITATION
PRECURSOR
RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS
RADIUM
THORIUM 229
URANIUM