Prospects for high-energy electron irradiation of waste-water liquid residuals

The proposal by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to set up at Boston's MDC waste-water treatment plant a high-energy electron research facility for studies primarily on the pasteurization of municipal sludge is described. Powered by a commercial 50 kW electron accelerator the compact outdoor concrete-shielded system could treat 100 kilogallons (400 m3) daily of selected materials to a dose of 400 kilorads. The proposal follows extensive work at M.I.T. on electron beam applications to science and medicine and one year of NSF-RANN supported studies on disinfection of sludge. The penetration, irradiation time, safety, flexibility and availability of the ionizing energy produced by electron accelerators is contrasted with that from 60Co and 137Cs. Preliminary estimates of costs for a 100 kgal/day electron treatment module and based on assumed dose and efficiency values are given. (Author)