| abstract |
The present invention relates to a process for purifying radium, particularly 226 Ra, for target preparation for producing a substantially pure 225 Ac from available radioactive sources using extraction chromatography to separate chemically similar elements such as Ba, Sr, and Pb the desired Ra; wherein the extraction chromatography comprises a crown ether extractant system. The invention further relates to a method of recycling 226 Ra for target preparation for 225 Ac production from radium sources irradiated with accelerated protons (p, 2n) after separation of the generated 225 Ac. In this method, a combination of the above-mentioned extraction chromatography and a cation exchange chromatography is used. The resulting 226 Ra is substantially free of the following chemical contaminants: Ag, Al, As, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn, and Ba. |