A method for producing 225.sup.A including: a method (X) for purifying a .sup.226Ra-containing solution, including an adsorption step of allowing a .sup.226Ra ion to adsorb onto a carrier having a function of selectively adsorbing a divalent cation by bringing a .sup.226Ra-containing solution into contact with the carrier under an alkaline condition, and an elution step of eluting the .sup.226Ra ion from the carrier under an acidic condition; a method for producing a .sup.226Ra target, including an electrodeposition liquid preparation step of preparing an electrodeposition liquid by using a purified .sup.226Ra-containing solution obtained by the method (X), and an electrodeposition step of electrodepositing a .sup.226Ra-containing substance on a substrate by using the electrodeposition liquid; and a step of irradiating a .sup.226Ra target produced by the method for producing a .sup.226Ra target with at least one selected from a charged particle, a photon, and a neutron by using an accelerator.

Methods for electrochemical extraction of metals, and methods for determining electrolyte fluids suitable therefor. A method of extracting, separating, and/or purifying a method includes immersing an electrochemical cell including an anode and a cathode in a liquid including the metal to form a layer including the metal on the cathode. The immersing includes applying an electrochemical potential across the anode and cathode.

Methods for electrochemical extraction of metals, and methods for determining electrolyte fluids suitable therefor. A method of extracting, separating, and/or purifying a method includes immersing an electrochemical cell including an anode and a cathode in a liquid including the metal to form a layer including the metal on the cathode. The immersing includes applying an electrochemical potential across the anode and cathode.

A power generator is described that provides at least one of electrical and thermal power comprising (i) at least one reaction cell for reactions involving atomic hydrogen hydrogen products identifiable by unique analytical and spectroscopic signatures, (ii) a molten metal injection system comprising at least one pump such as an electromagnetic pump that provides a molten metal stream to the reaction cell and at least one reservoir that receives the molten metal stream, and (iii) an ignition system comprising an electrical power source that provides low-voltage, high-current electrical energy to the at least one steam of molten metal to ignite a plasma to initiate rapid kinetics of the reaction and an energy gain. In some embodiments, the power generator may comprise: (v) a source of H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 supplied to the plasma, (vi) a molten metal recovery system, and (vii) a power converter capable of (a) converting the high-power light output from a blackbody radiator of the cell into electricity using concentrator thermophotovoltaic cells or (b) converting the energetic plasma into electricity using a magnetohydrodynamic converter.

A process for electrowinning a metal can include the steps of: a) conveying an anolyte material and a metal chemical feedstock material along an anolyte flow path within an anolyte chamber; b) conveying catholyte material along a catholyte flow path within a catholyte chamber that has a cathode; c) applying an activation electric potential between the anode and a cathode that is sufficient to electrolyze and liberate metal ions from the metal chemical feedstock material in the anolyte chamber, thereby causing a flux of metal ions to migrate through a porous membrane from the anolyte chamber to the catholyte chamber and a metal product to be formed in the catholyte chamber; and while applying the activation electric potential, extracting a feedstock-depleted anolyte material from the anolyte chamber; and extracting an outlet material comprising the catholyte material and the metal product from the catholyte chamber via a catholyte outlet.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for purifying efficiently and easily a .sup.226Ra-containing solution obtained when .sup.225Ac is produced from a .sup.226Ra target, a method for producing a .sup.226Ra target by using the purified .sup.226Ra-containing solution obtained by the above purification method, and a method for producing .sup.225Ac including these above methods. The method for purifying a .sup.226Ra-containing solution according to the present invention is characterized by including an adsorption step (R1) of allowing .sup.226Ra ions to adsorb onto a carrier having a function of selectively adsorbing divalent cations by bringing a .sup.226Ra-containing solution (a) into contact with the carrier under an alkaline condition; and an elution step (R2) of eluting the .sup.226Ra ions from the carrier under an acidic condition.

Provided herein is an electrodialysis metathesis system that has at least one stack or quad of compartments arranged so each compartment is in fluid communication with its adjacent compartment via alternating cation—and anion-exchange membranes. The compartments in a stack are a feed compartment, a substitution salt solution compartment, a first concentrated compartment and a second concentrated compartment. Also provided are processes and methods for separating or recovering a metal, for example, a rare earth element, or a salt or a combination thereof from a salt-containing water. Simultaneous metathesis reactions and electrodialysis across the stack recovers one or more metal or salts from the salt-containing water which desalinates the salt-containing water.

Provided herein is an electrodialysis metathesis system that has at least one stack or quad of compartments arranged so each compartment is in fluid communication with its adjacent compartment via alternating cation—and anion-exchange membranes. The compartments in a stack are a feed compartment, a substitution salt solution compartment, a first concentrated compartment and a second concentrated compartment. Also provided are processes and methods for separating or recovering a metal, for example, a rare earth element, or a salt or a combination thereof from a salt-containing water. Simultaneous metathesis reactions and electrodialysis across the stack recovers one or more metal or salts from the salt-containing water which desalinates the salt-containing water.

A process for recovering a rare earth element. The process includes adding water and a nonaqueous acid to an ionic liquid, and dissolving an oxide of a first rare earth element directly into the ionic liquid to form an ionic solution comprising at least about 0.1 weight percent water, the acid and an ion of the first rare earth element. The process further includes applying a potential to the ionic solution to deposit the first rare earth element onto an electrode as a metal.

A process for recovering a rare earth element. The process includes adding water and a nonaqueous acid to an ionic liquid, and dissolving an oxide of a first rare earth element directly into the ionic liquid to form an ionic solution comprising at least about 0.1 weight percent water, the acid and an ion of the first rare earth element. The process further includes applying a potential to the ionic solution to deposit the first rare earth element onto an electrode as a metal.