A review of possible applications of nanosecond electron beams for sterilization in industrial poultry farming

Elaboration of principles of technologies for radiation sterilization employing nanosecond electron accelerators in the industrial poultry farming was studied. The obtained results suggest that the URT-0.5 accelerator may be used to sterilize a bone meal. It is possible to create the processing line providing an output of 1500 kg per hour at the estimated cost amounting to $0.01/kg. Was found that consumer properties of the melange changed little up to an absorbed dose of 50 kGy and approached the measurement error. So, it is possible to use the URT-0.5 accelerator as the basis of a process line with an output of about 800 l/h at the estimated cost of nearly 0.14 $/1, which accounts for not more than 5% of the melange cost. Consequently, the use of nanosecond electron beams for sterilization in industrial poultry farming is technically possible and economically reasonable. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.