An electron beam (E-BEAM) water treatment system is proposed that can reduce the level of organic contamination in water to very low values, remove ammonium ions, and cold-sterilize by electron irradiation. The innovative aspect of the E-BEAM system is that it uses electrons in the relatively modest 100-200 KeV range. It irradiates water through a thin (10µm) but mechanically strong boron nitride (BN) window, allowing over 90oy organic contaminants with great efficiency and eliminate microorganisms. When the radiation chemistry goes to completion, even the most resistant aromatic organic contaminants are mineralized to carbon dioxide and water. The 100-200 KeV E-BEAM system has key advantages over catalyst-based, high temperature, high pressure water purification technologies.
Potential Commercial Applications:The 100-200 KeV E-BEAM system will be applicable to situations where there is an intermittent but essential need for safe, high quality, cold-sterilized drinking water. As a compact, mobile unit combining easy and safe operation with portability and energy efficiency, it is expected to have competitive advantages where a need exists for a self-contained water purification system. The 100 KeV E-BEAM water treatment system can play an important role as the end station in desert countries removing organic contaminants that are only incompletely eliminated by other water purification techniques such as distillation or reverse osmosis. An additional niche market exists in settlements on permafrost where underground sewer systems cannot be built.
