Patent ID: 7127023
Filing Date: 2006-10-24
Classification: G21G,H05H

Abstract:
1. A radionuclide producing apparatus, comprising: (a) a target chamber comprising a beam strike region for containing a target liquid, a target chamber lower opening communicating with the beam strike region, a condenser region for containing a vapor, and a sealable top above the condenser region, the condenser region disposed above the beam strike region in fluid communication therewith for receiving heat energy from the beam strike region and transferring condensate to the beam strike region; (b) a particle beam source operatively aligned with the beam strike region for bombarding the beam strike region with a particle beam; (c) a target liquid expansion chamber including an expansion chamber upper opening and an expansion chamber lower opening, the expansion chamber openly fluidly communicating with the beam strike region via the expansion chamber lower opening and the target chamber lower opening; (d) a pressurizing gas supply source separate from the target chamber and fluidly communicating with the expansion chamber upper opening; and (e) a lower liquid conduit interposed between the target chamber lower opening and the expansion chamber lower opening and forming an open target liquid flow path between the target chamber and the expansion chamber, wherein the expansion chamber, the lower liquid conduit, and the beam strike region are pressurized by the gas supply source.