Electron Beam Pasteurization Shielding for Radiation Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing particulate materials using electron beams pose risks due to radiation exposure to both the material and operating personnel, as well as environmental hazards, as radiation can escape beyond the treatment zone and affect surrounding areas.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates internal shielding within the outer housing to enclose the material guide channel in a labyrinth-like manner, preventing straight-line propagation of radiation and enhancing shielding effects, along with a multi-layer structure using lead for shielding elements and a process gas like nitrogen to minimize ozone formation, ensuring protection for both the material and operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electron beam treatment is applied to pasteurize and sterilize particulate material, then microbial reduction is achieved, but radiation escapes and creates harmful effects on material, personnel, and environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces shielding elements (lead, steel, or other radiation-absorbing materials) as intermediary barriers between the electron beam treatment zone and the surrounding environment. These shielding elements absorb and block scattered radiation, preventing it from reaching the material in non-treatment zones, operating personnel, and the external environment, thus resolving the contradiction between effective sterilization and radiation safety
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment chamber is segmented into distinct zones: a treatment zone where the electron beam is applied, and non-treatment zones separated by shielding elements. This segmentation allows the electron beam to effectively treat material in the treatment zone while the shielding creates radiation-free zones, enabling safe operation and material handling in non-treatment areas
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shielding elements are added to block radiation, then radiation protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly shielding the entire apparatus, the patent applies shielding elements selectively in strategic locations where scattered radiation poses the greatest risk - particularly around the treatment zone periphery and near material transfer paths. This localized shielding approach provides effective radiation protection while minimizing the addition of complex structural elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite shielding structures combining different materials (lead for high-density radiation blocking, steel for structural support and additional shielding, and potentially plastic or aluminum layers) to achieve optimal radiation protection with reasonable structural complexity. The multi-material composite approach allows thin, efficient shielding rather than requiring thick single-material barriers
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
This configuration significantly reduces radiation risks within and outside the apparatus, effectively protecting materials and personnel from harmful radiation, while allowing for efficient pasteurization and sterilization of particulate materials with enhanced safety and operational accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electron source arranged within the housing for generating an electron beam and a treatment zone arranged in the material guide channel in which the material can be pasteurized and/or sterilized, in particular in a free-falling manner, by means of the electron beam
Implementation Method 2
at least one internal shielding arranged inside the outer housing and enclosing the material guide channel, in particular along the material guide direction, with at least one shielding element for shielding the radiation generated during the treatment
Implementation Method 3
a process gas like nitrogen to minimize ozone formation
Data Source
AI summary
A device (10) for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing particulate material. The device (10) includes: an outer housing (40); a material inlet (43); a material outlet (44); a material guide channel (41) for guiding the material through the device (10) to the material outlet (44); at least one electron source (20) for generating an electron beam; and a treatment zone (19), located in the material guide channel (41), for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing while the material is free falling. The device (10) has at least one inner shielding section (51, 52) disposed within the outer housing (40) and enclosing the material guide channel (41) for shielding off radiation produced during treatment. A method for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing particulate material using such a device (10) is also disclosed which includes: a) generating an electron beam, and b) pasteurizing and/or sterilizing the material, while the material is free falling in the treatment zone (19).