Separation and purification of medical radioisotopes by solvent extraction in milliflow reactors

(ref. BAP-2023-28)

Laatst aangepast : 23/01/2023

This PhD topic will be supervised by Prof. Koen Binnemans (Department of Chemistry), with cosupervision of Prof. Thomas Cardinaels (Department of Chemistry, SCK CEN) and Prof. Tom Van Gerven (Department of Chemical Engineering). The student will be affiliated to the Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School, but all research activities will be carried out at the premises of the Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN) in Mol, Belgium.

Project

This project aims to develop innovative processes for extraction of medical radioisotopes from irradiated target materials by solvent extraction in milliflow reactors. Milliflow reactors offer the advantage of more efficient separations, fast processing times, low liquid hold-up volumes and thus lower waste volumes compared to conventional solvent extraction equipment such as mixer-settlers. The separation of scandium-47 from calcium-46 and the separation of actinium-225 from radium-226 are selected as model processes. Both scandium-47 and actinium-225 being high potential medical radioisotopes of the new generation for application in targeted radionuclide therapy. An integrated milliflow setup with in-line separators will be built to demonstrate the three different unit operations of extraction, scrubbing (removal of coextracted impurities) and stripping (back extraction) to demonstrate the full separation process. A comparison with other separation methods such as extraction chromatography or ion-exchange chromatography will be made. The student will learn how to safely work with radioactive materials in the context of production of medical radioisotopes and how to apply radiochemical and radioanalytical methods required for this research project.

Profile

• Knowledge of radiochemistry, inorganic chemistry or separation chemistry is a plus
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment
• Ability to write clear scientific reports and disseminate results
• Good oral, interpersonal and written communication skills
• Creative and self-motivated
• Committed to achieve objectives and overcoming obstacles
• Committed to safe working and operational procedures
  

Offer

• 4-year PhD position at the Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN) in Mol (Belgium)
• PhD degree will be awarded by the KU Leuven
• Doctoral training via the Arenberg Doctoral School and the SCK CEN Academy

Interested?

For more information please contact the SCK CEN mentor, Dr. Karen Van Hecke, email: [email protected]

Candidates should apply for this position on the SCK CEN website:

https://www.sckcen.be/en/sck-cen-academy/thesis-and-internship-topics/separation-and-purification-medical-radioisotopes-solvent-extraction-milliflow-reactors-3224

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