Ionizing radiation technology

Beamcomplex electron accelerator generates E-beam and X-Ray that penetrate various substances, materials and products. This technology is used for sterilization purposes and improvement of material properties.

X-Ray/E-beam

An E-beam (i.e. electron beam) consists of a stream of electrons accelerated to high speeds.

They carry a negative charge and have a small mass, allowing them to accelerate rapidly under electric fields. This acceleration results in high-energy beams capable of performing intricate tasks in technology and research.


An X-ray (i.e. Röntgen radiation) is a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation with photons that carry enough energy to ionize atoms and disrupt molecular bonds. This makes it a type of ionizing radiation, impacting living and non-living tissues.

APPLICATION OF IONIZING RADIATION TECHNOLOGY FOR TREATING VARIOUS PRODUCTS

Phytosanitary treatment of food products
Phytosanitary treatment of food products to ensure shelf life of over 3 years
Sterilization of medical products, food packaging, cosmetics, etc.
Pre-sowing seed treatment
SIT
Polymer products treatment
Treatment of products in sealed cargo containters

PHYTOSANITARY TREATMENT OF FOOD PRODUCTS


The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has adopted a system of terms for the irradiation of food products:


Irradiation (4-6 kGy) is radiation treatment for the purpose of selective destruction of a specific microorganism (e.g. salmonella, trichinella, etc.).

Radarization (6-10 kGy) is radiation treatment of food products for the purpose of increasing shelf life, in which the applied radiation dose leads to the destruction of pathogens.

Radarpertization (10-50 kGy) is intended for industrial sterilization of food products, which leads to the complete destruction of pathogens and eliminates re-infection.


ADVANTAGES
• Ionizing radiation has a positive effect on the quality of products and ensures their safety. Even small doses of radiation (less than 1 kGy) lead to a significant decrease in the number of bacteria.
• ​​Electron beam processing of grain destroys insects and their larvae, pathogens, and also reduces the content of mycotoxins.
• The cellular and molecular structure of food products is not affected by ionizing radiation. All nutrients and vitamins are preserved throughout the shelf life of food products.
• Ionizing radiation does not cause the appearance of free radicals in food molecules.
• No residual radiation in processed products. Numerous studies have proved the safety of processed product consumption.

PHYTOSANITARY TREATMENT OF FOOD PRODUCTS TO ENSURE SHELF LIFE OF OVER THREE YEARS

Operating principle: the electron accelerator uses high energy electrons and X-rays, penetrates through the product, causes DNA rupture of pathogens, harmful bacteria, mold, fungi, insect pests, their larvae, thereby destroying them.
This is the only technology that allows processing food products in sealed packaging which ensures extended shelf life.

ADVANTAGES
  • Elimination of re-contamination, since the products are processed in sealed packaging.
  • Increased shelf life of long-term storage products up to 10 years.
  • Food safety due to the reduction or complete destruction of pathogens.
  • After processing, the cellular and molecular structure of food products does not change, micro- and macroelements (vitamins, proteins, fats, amino acids) and minerals are preserved.
  • During processing, the packaging and products retain their original structure.
  • No residual radiation in processed products.

STERILIZATION OF MEDICAL DEVICES, FOOD PACKAGING, COSMETICS, ETC.


Electron accelerators use high energy electrons and X-rays as a sterilization method. The electron accelerator generates and accelerates electrons that pass through materials and products, causing breaks in the DNA of pathogens, thus sterilizing the materials. Products can be processed in tightly sealed packaging, preventing recontamination.


ADVANTAGES
  • Complete destruction of pathogens, viruses and bacteria.
  • The only method of sterilization in individual packaging that prevents recontamination.
  • Compared to Co-60 sterilization, the structure of polymers does not change during electron beam sterilization.
  • The fastest sterilization method, many times faster than sterilization with Co-60 or ethylene oxide.
  • No residual radiation in processed products.
  • Complete sterility of products and both internal and external surfaces of the packages.
  • The treatment does not affect the physical and chemical properties of the package.
STERILIZATION OF INSECTS WITH IONIZING RADIATION (SIT)

The technology includes several stages: breeding insects in special biofactories, then separating them into females and males, usually at the pupal stage, treating the males with ionizing radiation (without cobalt-60 and cesium isotopes) under controlled conditions, and then releasing them in target areas. Irradiation damages the chromosomes in the insects' reproductive cells, as a result they do not produce offspring when mated with wild females.

ADVANTAGES
  • Does not involve the use of insecticides that may be toxic to the environment, including humans.
  • Helps reduce the population of alien species that were introduced accidentally or deliberately into a natural environment.
  • Irradiated insects can exist throughout their entire life cycle without further reproduction.
  • Insects are not radioactive and do not pose a threat to humans or the environment.
PRE-SOWING SEED TREATMENT WITH IONIZING RADIATION

The electron accelerator generates X-rays that penetrate the seed and accelerate its hereditary development program.

The phenomenon of the development stimulation effect can be explained by the formation of biologically active substances of a quinoid nature in the seed cells. Substances in low concentrations activate growth and development by non-specific derepression of the genome, i.e., transferring genes to an active state. In this case, certain DNA zones are activated, which additionally promotes more intensive synthesis and activity of enzymes, including tryptophan synthetase, which regulates the synthesis of tryptophan, as well as the synthesis of the growth hormone heteroauxin, which accelerates the intensity of cell division, so the growth processes in sprouts are enhanced.

The stimulation effect can persist throughout ontogenesis, therefore accelerating the growth and development of plants, which ultimately leads to increased yields.

X-ray irradiation doses for seed treatment vary from 1 to 100 Gy. Each agricultural crop, as well as each variety, has its own irradiation dose (see the Scientific Reports). The Beamcomplex equipment provides a dose of soft X-ray irradiation of seeds with an accuracy of up to 1 Gy.

ADVANTAGES
  • Reduced need for pesticides.
  • Environmentally friendly technology.
  • No chemicals are used.
  • No chemical residues on the surface of the seeds.
  • Can be used for conventional and organic seeds.
  • Seeds of all agricultural crops can be treated with X-rays.
  • High productivity - up to 150 tons per hour.
PROCESSING OF POLYMER PRODUCTS

As a result of the effect of ionizing radiation on polymers, changes in the chemical structure occur, which lead to positive changes in the mechanical and physical properties of the materials.

When polymers are irradiated, bonds with the hydrogen molecule are broken with a simultaneous process of joining carbon bonds. Thus, rigid branched cross-bridges of carbon molecules are formed.

ADVANTAGES
  • Enables polymers to be cross-linked simultaneously over the entire circumference.
  • Guarantees uniformity of the dose received and homogeneity of the cross-linked material.
  • Increases polymer elasticity.
CARGO CONTAINER PROCESSING

Electron accelerators generate X-Ray radiation that penetrates food and non-food products through the walls of a closed container without heating the product, and disrupts cellular processes such as germination, maturation or growth of insect pests, pathogens, viruses and bacteria in processed products.

ADVANTAGES
  • High sterilization rate.
  • 100% guarantee of destruction of insect pests, pathogens, viruses and bacteria in transported products.

  • PRODUCTIVITY AND ELECTRICITY COST CALCULATIONS