Recently, Peter Tkac from the Argonne National Laboratory in the United States has recently published in the “Journal of Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange”, “Demonstration of the MOEX Process Using Additive-Manufacturing-Fabricated Annular Centrifugal Contactors”, which proposed a kind of recycled molybdenum-99 Effective method.
Molybdenum-99 is a medical isotope that can be used to detect osteoporosis, heart disease, etc. Molybdenum-99 isotope is used in more than 40,000 medical diagnoses in the United States every day, but this isotope lacks a cost-effective way to recycle. Molybdenum-99 will become technetium-99 after decay, which can be used in drug development. The cost of preparing technetium-99 from molybdenum-99 is very high, and it costs about US$1,000 to produce one gram of technetium-99.
“The recovery process of isotope molybdenum-99 is very complicated and requires a lot of corrosive chemical reagents for processing.” Peter Tkac said.In order to achieve an automated recycling method, Peter and his research team used3D printingAcrylic acid contactor for recovery, this contactor can use centrifugal force to achieve separation and purification of molybdenum isotopes. “use3D printingThe technology makes the contactor streamlined, reduces external links, and pushes the liquid through the separation system more quickly. “The research team’s Kozak explained. This method improves the recovery efficiency and can better purify concentrated molybdenum from potassium-containing pollutants.
From left to right: Peter Tkac, Peter Kozak, Brian Saboriendo, pictures from Argonne National Laboratory
However, the acrylic contactor was corroded by the hydrochloric acid in the solution after 15 hours of continuous operation. In order to achieve mass production, the research team had to find a new type of corrosion-resistant material.In the end, Peter and his team chose the FUNMAT PRO HT large-size high temperature produced by INTAMSYS3D printingAnd use it to print a PEEK contactor. Compared with acrylic, PEEK has better stability and corrosion resistance, and can work in a chemical solvent environment for a long time. By changing the printer’s fan speed and chamber temperature, Peter can easily solve the problems of warpage and shrinkage during the printing process. Now the research team can achieve rapid and large-scale recovery of molybdenum isotopes.
FUNMAT PRO HT is a large-size high temperature product independently developed and produced by INTAMSYS in 2017.3D printingmachine. In 2019, INTAMSYS introduced new ones, and FUNMAT PRO 610 HT was successfully launched on the market.This is a high-performance large-size industrial production grade3D printingThe machine has a dual nozzle extrusion system. The nozzle temperature can reach up to 500°C. The 300°C high-temperature chamber and heating platform can effectively avoid warpage and Cracked. The print size can reach 610*508*508. In addition, FUNMAT PRO 610 also has functions such as self-cleaning nozzle system, wire jam alarm, wire shortage alarm, continuous break point, liquid-cooled air cooling, over-temperature protection and other functions.
FUNMAT PRO 610 HT
At the FORMNEXT exhibition held in Germany in November 2019, FUNMAT PRO 610 HT made its debut in Europe and printed large-size ULTEM material structural parts on site.
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