Electron Beam Pasteurization of Particles Without Grid Turbulence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for pasteurizing and sterilizing particulate materials using electron beams face issues such as inadequate protection of the electron source exit window, inefficient electron utilization, complex and prone-to-failure designs, and difficulty in cleaning and maintaining the separation mechanisms, leading to suboptimal processing and high operating costs.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a horizontally oriented vibration surface for separating particulate material, which is then directed through a treatment zone where an electron beam is applied, with a secondary channel for ozone removal and a protective film to safeguard the electron source, along with a sliding and deflection surface to control particle flow and prevent turbulence, ensuring effective pasteurization and sterilization while protecting the equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a grid is used to keep the seed away from the exit window of the electron accelerator, then the exit window is protected, but the grid does not provide sufficient protection for fine particles, is difficult to clean, and has a short service life
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of the grid (causing turbulence and contamination) is completely removed from the system. The patent replaces the grid with a gridless electron beam irradiation system where particles are conveyed through a chamber without physical barriers, eliminating the need for cleaning and maintenance of separation structures while maintaining effective particle separation through controlled airflow and chamber geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a physical grid as an intermediary between the electron beam and particles, the patent introduces a controlled air stream as an intermediary medium. This air stream carries particles through the irradiation zone without requiring physical barriers, allowing the electron beam to pass through unobstructed while maintaining particle separation and protection of the exit window.
2Manufacturing precision
If a rotating brush roller is used to separate and rotate particles, then particles can be separated, but the design becomes structurally complex and prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The complex rotating brush roller mechanism is completely extracted and removed from the system. The patent achieves particle separation without any rotating mechanical components by using a combination of controlled air streams, chamber geometry, and particle injection timing, resulting in a structurally simple and reliable system.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical separation system (rotating brush roller) is replaced with a pneumatic and geometric separation system. Particles are separated through controlled air flow patterns and chamber design rather than mechanical contact, eliminating moving parts and structural complexity while maintaining effective separation capability.
3Manufacturing precision
If particles are accelerated at different rates by the brush roller, then separation occurs, but turbulence is caused that can damage the electron source
Solution Approach 1:
The source of turbulence (rotating brush roller) is completely removed from the system. The patent achieves particle separation through laminar air flow control and chamber geometry without mechanical agitation, eliminating turbulence that could damage the electron source while maintaining effective particle separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses controlled pneumatic fields (air streams) to achieve particle separation and acceleration without mechanical contact. By carefully controlling air flow velocity and direction, particles are separated through aerodynamic forces in a laminar flow regime, avoiding the turbulence generated by mechanical rotating components.
4Reliability
If vacuum treatment is used for electron beam irradiation, then pasteurization can be achieved, but the device becomes complex and prone to failure with high operating costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the vacuum environment with a controlled inert or oxygen-controlled atmosphere. By maintaining a controlled gas environment (such as nitrogen or filtered air) in the irradiation chamber, the system achieves effective electron beam pasteurization without requiring vacuum systems, significantly reducing device complexity and operating costs while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient pasteurization and sterilization of particulate materials with high throughput, effective ozone removal, and prolonged equipment lifespan by preventing damage to the electron source and simplifying maintenance, while ensuring all particles are adequately exposed to the electron beam.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electron source for generating an electron beam and a treatment zone in which the material can be pasteurized and/or sterilized by means of the electron beam
Implementation Method 2
a vibration surface (11), which is oriented substantially horizontally and is excited to vibrate, for separating the material into different flow paths
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to devices (10) and methods for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing particulate material. The devices contain at least one electron source (20) for generating an electron beam and a treatment zone (19) in which the material can be pasteurized and/or sterilized by the electron beam. In a first aspect, the device (10) additionally comprises a vibration surface (11) which can be excited so as to vibrate in order to convey and individualize the material, wherein the first vibration surface (11) has a plurality of grooves (12) into which the material can be conveyed and by means of which the material can be individualized. In a second aspect, the device (10) has a material channel (21) in which the material can be pasteurized and/or sterilized by the electron beam in the region of the treatment zone (19). The device (10) has at least one auxiliary channel (22) through which a fluid can flow and which runs at least partly between the electron source (20) and the material channel (21) and is fluidically separated from the material channel (21). The invention additionally relates to a cartridge (24) for inserting into a device (10) for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing particulate material.