GB673924A - Devices for the treatment of matter with high speed electrons - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0673924/III/1> <PICT:0673924/III/2> Apparatus for treating substances with high speed elections of the order of several million volts comprises an electron generating unit and an independent chamber containing the substance so constructed that the substance can be readily introduced into and removed from it. The electrons leave the electron generating unit, and enter the matter containing chamber through electron permeable windows. The window in the substance containing chamber may be curved outwards or inwards if the pressure within the chamber differs from atmospheric. The substance may be in continuous movement through the chamber, and may pass through several treating zones. The substance may be treated from opposite sides. It may be introduced into the chamber through an atomizer. Layers of the substance may be skimmed off and returned to the chamber for further treatment. The chamber may be rotatable, or the electron generating unit may be moveable in one or more planes; it may be pivotally mounted so as to vary the angle of incidence of the electrons on the matter. As shown, Fig. 15, a rotatable annular chamber 170 is associated with electron generating units 174, 175, 176, and 177. The substance may be treated in the presence of gases such as nitrogen, hydrogen, chlorine or inert gases, and may be cooled or heated while under treatment. Heating periods may be of the order of 10-5 to 10-6 or a second duration. Specification 673,921 is referred to. The Specification as open to inspection under Section 91, comprises also chambers with single openings instead of electron permeable windows. The apparatus may be used for treating substances with neutrons for the production of radio-active materials. In one embodiment, Fig. 18 (Cancelled), an electron generating unit 168 is slidably mounted within a rotatable chamber 165. The substance under treatment forms a layer 167 on the inside of the chamber 165. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.