The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is taking a contemporary approach by implementing the Hidex Q-ARE for automated radioactive isotope separation. Alexandre Tribolet from NPL discusses how this technology is optimising their processes, freeing up operator time, and enabling more efficient and accurate measurement of radionuclides.
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the UK’s National Measurement Institute (NMI) based in Teddington, London, provides measurement traceability for the UK. The NPL Nuclear Metrology Groups work includes investigating fundamental radionuclide decay data, instrument calibration, developing measurement solutions for multiple radionuclides and providing radioactive standards for end users. We spoke with Alexandre Tribolet, a Higher Scientist in the Nuclear Metrology Group, to learn more about how their laboratory uses Hidex’s sample preparation instrument, the Hidex Q-ARE for radiochemistry.
What are the main tasks of NPL’s Nuclear Metrology research group?
Tribolet’s work in the radiochemistry area of the Nuclear Metrology group is focused on improving radiochemical separation procedures. Often, the samples they receive require isolating a specific radionuclide for measurement. This involves first removing by-products and purifying the radionuclide byand achieving a high chemical yield to facilitate accurate measurement results. Given that separation is a significant part of their workload, the group procured the Hidex Q-ARE in 2022 to streamline existing radiochemical procedures which use manual extraction chromatography.
How does automated extraction chromatography differ from traditional chromatography technique?
The Hidex Q-ARE has brought notable improvements to the efficiency of radiochemical separations. A key example is the purification of Uranium (232U) from its decay product Thorium (228Th) as part of a regular Measurement Service requirement to supply 232U to customers. Traditionally, this process would take 2–3 hours and require the operator’s constant attention. Now, with the automated extraction chromatography (EXC) system, the team can initiate the separation, set up reagents and columns, and walk away, freeing up valuable time and enabling focus on other tasks.
“The Hidex Q-ARE has been a very straightforward instrument to work with and has made work planning much easier” — Alexandre Tribolet
What types of samples do the Nuclear Metrology Group handle?
According to Tribolet, the Nuclear Metrology Group handles a diverse array of samples with a significant range in radioactivity concentration. These include in-house standard solutions and materials as well as samples produced from nuclear reactors and accelerator facilities. This versatility, combined with the efficiencies brought by the Hidex Q-ARE, underscores the group’s commitment to advancing radiochemical processing through automation.
What are the benefits of automating extraction chromatography?
Manual extraction chromatography can be extremely time-consuming, with some separations potentially occupying a full day. With the automated system, the team can increase the number of separations they perform in the same amount of time. Additionally, the automation allows the team to more closely control the flow rates and volumes and find the right balance between reducing time while maintaining the same recovery, which had been relatively challenging with a manual vacuum box system.
