High-speed electron-beam water treatment: A technological consideration

The desired arrangement of the electron accelerator and the reaction vessel for large-scale electron-beam treatment of water at absorbed doses of several kGy is considered from a technological point of view. Each of the accelerators tested earlier showed the potential to irradiate no more than 20 thousand m(3) per day, which is many times less than practical needs. At the same time, there are no power restrictions for existing high-voltage generators, which can serve as a key prerequisite for creating high-power accelerators. A model comprising several accelerating tubes powered by one high-voltage generator and a model containing one accelerating tube equipped with several beam windows oriented in different radial directions are compared. Evaluation calculations reveal the possibility of irradiating nearly 200 000 cubic meters of water per day with a single accelerator.