Environmental Applications of Accelerator Technology

Accelerator technology at long last is fulfilling the promise expressed by its enthusiasts thirty years ago of a role in the reduction of air and water borne pollution and disease. The paper will describe with specific examples three types of projects either working or to be in commercial operation within a year. All are energy efficient and likely to be followed by general use; 1. The disinfection of liquid sludge from digested municipal sewage by electrons so that the nutrients can safely be used on land and possibly in the ocean. 2. The disinfection of animal feed to reduce pathogens, specifically the reduction of salmonella in poultry feed. 3. More efficient removal of fly ash from the stack discharges of coal-fired power stations, accomplished by superimposing fast rising pulses on the d.c. voltage of conventional electrostatic precipitators.