Method and apparatus for the electrodissolution of elements

Abstract

The present invention is related to a method and apparatuses for the electrodissolution of an element, in particular of fragments of an irradiated metallic target, comprising a fraction of a radio-isotope, for example Palladium-103. Besides the known steps of subjecting an electrolytic solution comprising the fragments to a voltage applied between two electrodes submerged in the solution, the method comprises the step of applying an external force to the solution in order to accumulate the fragments in the vicinity of one electrode, and thereby accelerate the dissolution process. The force applied may be centrifugal, or it may be a force obtained through a flow of the solution.

1 . A method for the dissolution of a chemical element, said method comprising the steps of: 
 producing fragments of said element,    introducing the fragments in a liquid, said liquid being an electrolyte,    applying a current to said liquid, by contacting said liquid with two electrodes coupled to a voltage,    characterized in that said method further comprises the step of:    applying an external force to said liquid, said force having the effect of displacing said fragments towards one electrode and holding a plurality of fragments against the surface of said electrode.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said force is a centrifugal force.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said force is a pressure difference, inducing the circulation of said liquid in a circuit.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said element is a metallic element chosen from the group of: Ruthenium, Rhodium, Palladium Osmium, Iridium, Platinum, Gold.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said fragments have previously undergone an irradiation treatment, so that said fragments contain a fraction of a radio-isotope.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for performing the method of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises: 
 a first electrode in the form of a rotatable receptacle ( 2 ), for receiving an electrolyte comprising fragments which are to be dissolved in said electrolyte,    a second electrode ( 3 ) extending into said receptacle ( 2 ), and being able to remain extended into said receptacle during rotation of said receptacle,    a means for applying a voltage between said electrodes ( 2 , 3 ), during rotation of said first electrode ( 2 ).    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein a top piece ( 6 ), made from a material which is not electrically conductive, can be mounted onto said rotatable receptacle/electrode ( 2 ).  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said apparatus comprises a means ( 21 ) for measuring the level of said liquid in said receptacle ( 2 ), and a means for adding said liquid to said receptacle during operation, in order to maintain the volume of said liquid at or around a predefined value.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising a temperature sensor able to measure the temperature of said liquid, and a means for cooling said receptacle ( 2 ), in order to maintain said temperature at or around a predefined value.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said means for cooling consists of one or more tubes ( 23 ), able to direct a flow of compressed air towards said receptacle ( 2 ).  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising a means for measuring the current between said two electrodes ( 2 , 3 ), and a means for controlling said current.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for performing the method of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises: 
 A liquid circuit ( 29 ) comprising a pump ( 30 ), able to circulate a liquid in said circuit,    a first electrode ( 32 ) which has the form of a filter, i.e. a plate comprising a plurality of openings ( 33 ), said openings being essentially smaller than the average size of said fragments, said filter being placed in said circuit, in such a way that the circulating liquid must pass through said filter,    a second electrode ( 34 ), placed in said fluid circuit ( 29 ),    a means ( 36 ) to apply a voltage between said two electrodes ( 32 , 34 ).    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said circuit ( 29 ) comprises an electrodissolution cell ( 31 ), and wherein said first electrode ( 32 ), i.e. said filter is located at the bottom of said cell, while said second electrode ( 34 ) is located above said first electrode.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cooling system ( 35 ) for cooling said liquid during its circulation.