Using high-current nanosecond electron beams to sterilize bone meal

8n the basis of the URT-0.2 repetitive nanosecond electron accelerator (accelerating voltage up to 200 kV, FWHM pulse duration t _pulse=34 ns, pulse repetition rate up to f=200 pps, beam cross-sectional area 220×30 mm², pulsed current density 0.3 A/cm²), we have developed a technology and a setup for radiochemical sterilization of bone meal (proteic feed additive with a bulk density of about 1 g/cm²) while it is produced. With the accelerator operating at the highest pulse repetition rate, the output of the line ranges up to ~225 kg/h. The estimated cost of sterilization amounts to ~$0.034 per kilogram