WO1992003839A1

WO1992003839A1 - Particle accelerator transmission window configurations, cooling and materials processing

Info

Publication number: WO1992003839A1
Application number: PCT/US1991/005845
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernard John Lyons; Marlin Niles Schuetz; David Archie Vroom
Original assignee: Raychem Corporation
Priority date: 1990-08-17
Filing date: 1991-08-16
Publication date: 1992-03-05
Also published as: CA2089643A1; EP0543920A4; EP0543920A1; JPH06500394A

Abstract

A transmission window (14) for a particle accelerator (10) is formed of a thin foil (14) having a predetermined thickness and having a predetermined length, and when laid flat as a sheet having a transverse dimension. The window is formed to have a locus of a curve in cross-section along the transverse dimension such that a radius of curvature of at least a portion of the curve in cross-section is less than the length of the transverse dimension. Longitudinal channel and tubular shapes are preferred. Window cooling by gaseous and liquid fluid flows is also described. A transmission window assembly and a particle beam accelerator are also described. As one example, a liquid material processor and processing method employs either the curved window or a conventional window and advantageously directs liquid material onto the window to cool it, while a particle beam passing through the window enters the liquid material and changes it chemically in a predetermined manner. A mobile transporter enabling relocation of the liquid material processor between process sites is also described.

Description

PARΗCLE ACCELERATOR TRANSMISSION WINDOW CONFIGURATIONS, COOLING AND MATERIALS PROCESSING

Reference to Related Application The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No.

07/569,092 filed on August 17, 1990, entitled "Transmission Window for Particle

Accelerator", now abandoned. The present application is also related to, a commonly assigned, copending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/569,329, also filed on August 17,

1990, and entitled "Particle Beam Generator", now U.S. Patent No. , the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to high energy particle accelerators especially for use within industrial processes for treating various materials. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved transmission window for a particle accelerator and improved cooling methods and apparatus for drawing heat away from the transmission window.

Background of the Invention

Particle accelerators are employed to irradiate a wide variety of materials for several purposes. One purpose is to facilitate or aid molecular crosslinking or polymerization of plastic and/or resin materials. Other uses include sterilization of foodstuffs and medical supplies and sewage, and the destruction of toxic or polluting organic materials from water, sediments and soil.

A particle beam accelerator typically includes (i) an emitter for emitting the particle beam, (ii) an accelerator for shaping the emitted particles into a beam and for directing and accelerating the highly energized panicle beam toward a transmission window, (iii) usually a beam scanning or deflection means and (iv) a transmission window and window mounting. A generator is provided for generating the considerable voltage difference needed to power the accelerator.

The emitter and the accelerator section, which may comprise centrally arranged dynode elements or other beam shaping means, or electrostatic or electromagnetic lenses for shaping, focusing and directing the beam, are included within a highly evacuated vacuum chamber from which air molecules have been removed so that they cannot interfere with the particle beam during the emitting, shaping, directing and accelerating processes. The term "particle accelerator" includes accelerators for charged particles including, for example, electrons and heavier atomic particles, such as mesons or protons or other ions. These particles may be neutralized subsequent to acceleration, usually prior to exiting the vacuum chamber.

The transmission window is provided at a target end of the vacuum chamber and enables the beam to pass therethrough and thereby exit the vacuum chamber. The workpiece to be irradiated by the particle beam is usually positioned outside the accelerator vacuum chamber and adjacent to the transmission window in the path of the particle beam.

As used herein, "transmission window" is a sheet of material which is substantially transparent to the particle beam impinging thereon and passing therethrough. The transmission window is mounted on a window mounting comprising a support frame which includes securing and retention means which define a window envelope.

The conventional beam transmission window, usually rectangular with filleted corners and generally perpendicular with respect to a longitudinal axis of the particle beam, must be sufficiently thin and of a suitable material so as not to attenuate the beam unduly from energy absorption and consequent heating. The window material must be sufficiently strong to withstand the combined stresses due to the pressure difference from typical ambient atmospheric pressure on one side thereof and high vacuum on the other and due to the heat generated by the particle beam in passing therethrough.

Conventionally, transmission window foils have typically been installed between rectangular, generally flat flanges with filleted corners. The thin window foils are typically formed of titanium or titanium alloy sheets or foils which typically range in thickness between about 0.0005 inches (0.013mm) and 0.004 inches (0.1O4mm).

When vacuum is drawn on one side of a conventionally installed, flat foil window, the ambient air pressure on the other side tends to deform or "pillow" the foil window slightly. Part of this deformation results from transverse stretching of the foil. The radius of curvature of the foil resulting from drawing a vacuum is defined by the amount of transverse stress incurred. The relation therebetween for a foil of indefinite length (that is, neglecting end effects) is given by the following:

si = p(R/t) transverse stress (lb in2) Where p = differential pressure across foil (lb/in2) R = radius of curvature (inches) t _* thickness of foil (inches); and s2= sl 2 axial stress (lbs/in2) and the total stress S at any position on the window is given by: S = (sl2 + s22) ( given in lbs in2).

Because the window is not of indefinite length, the ends thereof are subjected to additional axial stress as well as transverse stress because of the transverse anc^end retention structure adjacent thereto. The combination of axial and transverse stresses often results in wrinkling, non-uniform deformation, or even actual creasing at the window ends, and increases the chances of premature failure thereat

Because the sheet or foil materials used for conventional window configurations have inherent strength limitations, particle accelerator power output is limited, not by the high voltage generator capacity, but by the maximum heating due to the particle flux that the window material can withstand. The prior art has therefore sought to minimize the increase in temperature of the window during accelerator operation or decrease the mechanical stress it is subjected to. One known technique includes, for example, providing support grids inside the accelerator chamber and abutting against the window. In this particular technique, the support grids are often cooled by coolant flowing through internal cooling passages. While this technique effectively increases the active window area, the grids used in these known designs are within the beam path and therefore undesirably absorb a significant fraction of the incident accelerated particles. By "active window area" is meant that area of the window within and defined by the securing structure and having an active transverse dimension. A related technique of increasing the window area without providing additional support increases the tendency of the window foil to fail under stress. Thus, a hitherto unsatisfied need has arisen for an improved transmission window design wherein a given thickness of window foil can withstand a much higher particle flux than that contemplated heretofore.

The efficacy of radiation-thermal cracking (RTC) and viscosity reduction of light and heavy petroleum stock, for example, has been reported in the prior art. Also, high energy particle experiments have been conducted in connection with processing of aqueous material including potable water, effluents and waste products in order to reduce chemically or eliminate toxic organic materials, such as PCBs, dioxins, phenols, benzenes, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, aromatic compounds, etc.

The techniques heretofore employed have typically presented a liquid sheet or "waterfall" in front of, but spaced away from, the particle beam. Conventional wisdom associated with these techniques has been to employ very highly energetic particle beam sources (e.g. 1-3 MeV) in order to obtain sufficient particle penetration. In order to process usefully large quantities, high beam currents, such as 50 milliamperes or more have also been proposed. High energy and high beam currents require very expensive voltage generation and beam forming apparatus. Also, the use of a thin sheet of liquid material being irradiated has not been simultaneously employed to transfer heat away from a curved transmission window of the beam. Heretofore, there has been an unsolved need for a lower particle energy, higher beam current, higher efficiency irradiation apparatus for radiation processing of materials such as petroleum stock, potable water, effluents and other aqueous and liquid materials.

Summary of the Invention

A general object of the present invention is to provide a novel transmission window design whereby the window foil is subjected to lower transverse stress, lower axial stress and lower total stress when subjected to a pressure difference between the two faces thereof, which is more readily and effectively cooled, and which still enables substantially all, e.g. at least 90% or even at least 95%, of the accelerated incident particles to pass therethrough in a manner which overcomes the limitations and drawbacks of the prior art.

One more specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved transmission window configuration for a particle accelerator in which overall stress for a given particle flux is considerably reduced over that manifested using a substantially flat window of equivalent active area.

The term "overall stress" means the combined stress due to the pressure difference across the window between atmospheric pressure on one side thereof and high vacuum on the other as well as due to the increase in temperature caused by the energy given up by a given particle flux in traversing the window which temperature increase results in a decrease in the ability of the window material to resist mechanical stress. By "substantially flat" we mean that the window in the absence of any pressure difference thereacross has a radius of curvature which is relatively large, for example, 100 times the active transverse dimension thereof. Thus, the radius of curvature of such flat windows is essentially infinite in the absence of any curvature resulting from the application of a pressure differential across the thickness thereof when the window is first mounted in the accelerator. Of course, once a vacuum is drawn on one side of the window when mounted in the accelerator housing, the nominally flat window will tend to yield both elastically and to some degree permanently. For titanium windows the deformation is largely elastic, and these foils substantially recover from such deformation when the deforming stress is removed. Aluminum windows used in the prior art often undergo some amount of permanent deformation after initial application of a pressure difference thereacross and exhibit some degree of "dishing" thereafter. Another object of the present invention is to provide a transmission window which reduces transverse stress by providing an active area following a curved contour in transverse cross-section such that a radius of curvature thereof is less than twice the length of the active transverse dimension.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide methods and apparatus for the radiation processing of materials carried in fluid mediums while at the same time advantageously using the fluid medium for the efficient cooling and conducting of heat away from a transmission window of a high power, low energy particle accelerator. This method of using the process materials and fluid medium for cooling the window also achieves the desired result of raising the temperature of the materials in a controlled fashion as may be conducive to desired chemical reactions. By placing the materials to be processed into direct proximity of the beam window for cooling it also advantageously increases the incidence of energetic particles and electrons in the material, leading to a desired process result at lower beam energies, and therefore lower cost and complexity, than heretofore achieved.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a transmission window which may be cooled more efficiently with a cooling fluid stream, thereby increasing the capacity of the window to dissipate higher power levels for a given window foil thickness.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved and more efficient cooling arrangement and method for conducting heat away from a transmission window of a high energy particle accelerator, thereby increasing the capacity of the window to dissipate higher power levels for a given window foil thickness.

In accordance with principles of the present invention a transmission window for a particle accelerator is formed from a thin foil having a predetermined thickness and having a predetermined length between a first end and a second end, and a width, when laid flat as a sheet prior to forming. The window along at least part of its length comprising an active area is formed to have the locus of a curve in cross section along an active transverse dimension such that a radius of curvature R of at least a portion of the curve in cross section is less than twice the length of the active transverse dimension.

In one presently preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, a particle beam accelerator includes a housing defining a vacuum chamber, a charged particle source for generating a particle beam within the vacuum chamber and a particle accelerator for accelerating and directing the particle beam toward a first end of the housing which has been adapted to allow accelerated particles to pass therethrough. The housing includes an upper flange at the first end and a removable lower flange which mounts against the upper flange. The terms "upper flange" and "lower flange" as used in this specification are to be understood and interpreted in relation to the particle beam direction, the upper flange being closer to the particle source than the lower flange. The upper flange and the lower flange together include a securing mechanism to secure the window foil which is mounted therebetween and defines aligned openings to the interior of the chamber which have a length and an actjve transverse dimension. The aligned openings may or may not be coextensive. The upper flange and the lower flange further define a curved locus at each of said first and second ends along the transverse dimension. A transmission window is formed of foil sheet material of a size sufficient to cover the aligned interior openings of the upper and lower flanges and the securing mechanism, and being of predetermined thickness. The transmission window is removably mountable between the upper flange and the lower flange such that the curved locus at each end along the active transverse dimension forms the transmission window into a curved channel configuration having a finite radius of curvature in cross section along at least a portion of the transverse direction, the portion preferably being substantially the whole length of the active transverse dimension, but not greater.

In one aspect of the above described embodiment, the particle beam accelerator further comprises a sealing gasket disposed between the transmission window and the upper flange and functioning as a sealing mechanism therefor.

In another presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the curved transmission window may be formed to define a cylindrical tube through which a strand is drawn for radiation processing by the particle beam.

In another aspect of the invention the active area of the transmission window prior to being mounted between the upper and the lower flanges of the accelerator housing is not substantially planar. Preferably, the transmission window of this aspect of the invention is preshaped to present a convex surface of generally elliptical shape to the vacuum chamber.

In yet another aspect this invention provides a particle beam accelerator including a housing defining a vacuum chamber. A particle beam generator for generating a particle beam is within the vacuum chamber, as is a beam directing structure for directing the particle beam toward a radiation emission end of the housing. The housing includes an upper flange at the emission end and a removable lower flange. The upper flange and the lower flange define aligned interior openings. The openings have a length and an active transverse dimension. A transmission window is formed from a flat foil sheet material of sufficient length and width so that after formation the window covers the aligned interior openings of the upper and lower flanges and window mounting mechanism. The window is of a predetermined thickness. The transmission window is removably mountable between the upper flange and the lower flange, such that the active area of the transmission window is at least 0.6 square inches, and such that the window is capable of withstanding energy deposition from the beam of at least 50 watts per square inch for a period of at least 1 hour without mechanical failure. Preferably, the window has an active area of a minimum of at least 1 square inch, for example 5 square inches, and most preferably an active area of 10 square inches; and it can withstand an energy flux from the beam of at least a minimum of about 75 watts per square inch, for example 100 watts per square inch, especially 125 watts per square inch, and most preferably at least 150 watts per square inch.

As still a further facet of the present invention, a liquid material processor includes a housing containing a particle beam accelerator defining a vacuum chamber, a particle beam generator for generating a particle beam within the vacuum chamber, a particle beam focusing and directing structure for directing the particle beam toward a radiation emission end of the vacuum chamber, the housing including a transmission window at the radiation emission end for passing the particle beam and being formed of thin foil sheet material. In this facet of the invention, the processor comprises a source for supplying a quantity of liquid material to the housing, a liquid material flow directing structure within the housing and external to the vacuum chamber for directing a flow of liquid material supplied from the source against an exterior surface of the transmission window in order to transfer heat from the transmission window to the liquid cooling fluid while simultaneous exposure to the particle beam modifies chemically the liquid cooling fluid, thereby resulting in processing of the liquid cooling fluid into processed liquid, and a liquid collection vessel within the housing for collecting the processed liquid.

As one aspect of this facet of the invention, the liquid collection vessel defines a gaseous cavity above a liquid level, and the processor further comprising a pump, such as a vacuum pump, in communication with the gaseous cavity for reducing gas pressure within the cavity.

As another aspect of this facet of the invention, a heat exchanger is provided for exchanging heat from the processed liquid within the liquid collection vessel to the supply of liquid material within the source.

As a further aspect of this facet of the invention, the housing includes plural flanges, each flange defining a curve locus in an active transverse dimension lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal dimension. The transmission window is of a size sufficient following formation to enclose the curve locus of the plural flanges and extends therebetween in the longitudinal dimension and is of a predetermined thickness. Further, the transmission window is removably mountable between and positioned by the plural flanges such that the curve locus followed by the transmission window has a radius of curvature which does not exceed twice the length of the active transverse dimension.

As a related aspect, the liquid material directing structure causes the flow of liquid material to be directed in accordance with an active transverse dimension of the transmission window. As a further related aspect, the liquid material directing structure comprises a knife- blade edge positioned adjacent to an edge of the active transverse dimension. In one more related aspect, the knife-blade edge is adjustably positionable in order to control thickness of a liquid sheet of the liquid cooling fluid as applied to cool the transmission window while undergoing the chemical processing.

In accordance with a further facet of the present invention, a method is provided for processing materials by exposure to an accelerated particle beam. The method essentially comprises the steps of: generating a particle beam within a vacuum chamber, directing the particle beam toward a particle beam transmission window at a radiation emission end of the vacuum chamber, supplying from a source a quantity of said material to be processed within a fluid medium, such as a liquid, directing a flow of the fluid medium supplied from the source against an exterior surface of the particle beam transmission window in order to transfer heat therefrom to the medium, simultaneously exposing the material in the fluid medium to accelerated particles of said particle beam passing through the transmission window means in order to process the material.

As one aspect of this facet of the invention, the step of exposing the material to accelerated particles of the particle beam causes chemical modification of the material.

As another aspect of this facet of the invention, a further step is provided for collecting the fluid medium and processed material after heat transfer to the medium and simultaneous exposure of the material to the accelerated particles. As one more aspect of this facet of the invention, the medium itself comprises the material to be processed.

As yet another aspect of this facet of the invention, further steps include: providing an enclosed processing chamber including the exterior surface of the particle beam transmission window, and reducing gas pressure within the enclosed processing chamber to relieve stresses in the particle beam transmission window.

As a still further aspect of this facet of the invention, a further step of exchanging heat from the fluid medium to an external heat transfer medium is carried out.

Yet another aspect of this facet of the invention includes the further step of forming the particle beam transmission window means as a curved structure so that said external surface thereof has an active area along at least part of its length so that a locus of a curve in cross section along an active transverse dimension of the active area has a radius of curvature R of at least a portion of the curve in cross section less than twice the length of the formation transverse dimension.

Still one more aspect of this facet of the invention includes the step of forming the particle beam transmission window means as a curved structure to follow guiding surfaces of plural flanges, each flange having a guiding surface defining a curve locus in an active transverse dimension lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal dimension, the particle beam transmission window being of a size sufficient following formation to enclose the curve locus of the plural flanges and extending therebetween in the said longitudinal dimension and being of predetermined thickness.

As still one more aspect of this facet of the invention, the step of directing the flow of fluid medium includes the step of directing the flow of fluid medium to be directed in accordance with an active transverse dimension of the particle beam transmission window. As a related aspect, this step includes forming and directing a the fluid medium as a thin sheet of liquid against the particle beam transmission window along a longitudinal edge thereof.

As one more aspect of this facet of the invention, further steps of collecting the fluid medium following heat transfer from the particle beam transmission window; and, transferring heat from the collected medium to said quantity of the material to be processed within the medium before it is directed against the particle beam transmission window, are carried out. These and other objects, advantages, aspects and features of the present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated upon consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, presented in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the Drawings:

Fig. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a transmission window for a particle accelerator which incorporates the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates a transmission window of the invention which is contoured at each end by a preform in order to present a curved convex surface to the vacuum chamber and facilitates ready installation. Fig. 3 illustrates a transmission window of the invention which has been preshaped to present a convex surface to the vacuum chamber and which can be mounted between substantially flat surfaces of the upper and lower window mounting flanges.

Fig.4 is a somewhat diagrammatic view in transverse cross section and elevation of the Fig. 1 particle accelerator transmission window mounted between an upper flange and a lower flange, showing curved edges of the upper flange around which the transmission window is formed and supported, showing a nozzle for creating a sheet of cooling fluid directed to pass adjacently against the curved transmission window, showing a beam absorption structure below a strand or tubular workpiece, and showing a deflected and converged particle beam for radiation processing of the strand or tubular workpiece. Fig. 4A is a view similar to Fig. 4 , except that the Fig. 1 accelerated particle beam is deflected and not converged, and the workpiece comprises a continuously moving sheet passing below the beam.

Fig. 5 is a somewhat diagrammatic view in cross section and elevation of an alternative preferred embodiment, illustrating a fluid cooling arrangement for conducting heat away from the transmission window and for promoting centering of the workpiece in the particle beam passing through the transmission window.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention including an upper flange and transmission window, and of a lower flange mounted to the upper flange, wherein the lower flange is provided with passageways enabling gaseous cooling fluid and cooling liquid to flow, thereby to conduct heat away from the transmission window and the vicinity of the strand being treated with particle beam radiation.

Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation and cross section of the Fig. 6 embodiment along the section line 7-7 in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic isometric view of a tubular particle beam window structure also embodying the principles of the present invention mounted between two mounting flanges of an evacuated chamber of a particle beam accelerator.

Fig. 9 is a view of the Fig. 8 tubular window mounted between two mounting flanges of an evacuated chamber of a particle beam accelerator.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, somewhat diagrammatic view in side elevation of modified structure for mounting the Fig. 8 tubular transmission window and for directing a substantially cylindrically layered cooling fluid flow at the inside/ambient environment surface of the Fig. 8 tubular window and for creating an axially centralized low pressure region in the window for promoting centering of the product strand to be treated by panicle beam bombardment.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic side view in section and elevation of a liquid materials processing beam which employs the liquid material being irradiated also to cool the transmission window in accordance with principles of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a slightly enlarged, even more diagrammatic side view in section and elevation of the Fig. 11 liquid materials processing particle beam.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic side view in section and elevation of a particle beam petrochemical processing system, also incoiporating the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic side view in section and elevation of a transportable environmental liquid processing system embodying principles of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a graph of particle beam power for a given area beam transmission window and a family of process radiation dosages as a function of process fluids flow, wherein the process fluid removes heat from the transmission window in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Window Configurations and Cooling

Window materials useful in this invention include but are not limited to aluminum, titanium, beryllium and other materials such as organic polymers or polymer composites, such as metal coated polymers, for example.

Fig. 1 illustrates an improved tr emission window assembly configuration which reduces the value of the transverse stress in the window foil material to a much lower level by reducing the radius of curvature over that of a nominally flat window configuration.

In Fig. 1 a particle beam accelerator 10 is provided for irradiating a workpiece, such as a continuous strand or filament 11a. Alternatively, a workpiece sheet moving transversely with respect to the window opening along a direction of movement locus marked by the arrow lib may also be iiradiated by the accelerator 10 (see Fig.4A discussed hereinafter).

The accelerator 10 includes a housing 12 which provides an enclosure defining an vacuum chamber 21. A particle beam 13 is emitted from a source 15 within the housing 10 and is denoted by the downwardly directed arrows in Fig. 1. The particle beam 13 may be focused and directed toward a thin titanium foil window 14 by any suitable conventional beam directing means (not shown). Thus, the particle beam 13 from the accelerator 10 may be linearly collimated and directed in conventional fashion, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4A, or it may be a swept and converged particle ribbon beam from an accelerator 10', in accordance with the teachings of the referenced and incorporated copending patent application Serial No. 07/569,329, now U.S. Patent No. and as shown in Fig. 4.

The foil window 14 is formed into an elongated, generally U-shaped channel structure having a radius of curvature R of the channel portion which radius is preferably much smaller than previously existing in conventional flat window configurations of the prior art in which any radius of curvature resulted from imposition of a pressure differential between the ambient air outside the window and the vacuum inside the window once the window was installed in the accelerator. The foil window 14 may be a preform, as depicted in Figs. 2 and 3 and discussed hereinafter, or it may be formed by following contour-forming peripheral surfaces of a window mounting structure.

In one presently preferred form shown in Fig. 1, the foil window 14 is mounted between an upper flange structure 16 connected to or forming a part of the housing 12 and a detachable lower flange structure 18. A polymeric or metal 0-ring gasket 20 provides a suitable vacuum seal between the foil window 14 and facing surfaces of the upper flange 16. A continuous loop of wire having a diameter of approximately 10 mils and formed of a suitable metal, such as tin, is presently preferred for providing a durable 0-ring gasket 20.

A series of screws 22 pass through openings 24 in the lower flange and engage threaded holes 26 formed in the upper flange 16 in order to securely affix and seal the window 14 to the housing 10. The flanges 16 and 18 and associated structural elements described hereinabove may be formed as an assembly for retrofitting a conventional panicle beam accelerator in order to achieve the advantages realized by practice of the principles of the present invention. Alternatively, the flanges 16 and 18 may be parts of a particle accelerator, such as the accelerator 10, which is specially designed to make practical and effective use of the present invention. The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1 enables ready and efficient replacement of the transmission window 14 and provides access to the interior vacuum chamber 21 defined by the housing 12. Contour-forming peripheral surfaces of the upper and lower flanges 16 and 18 of this arrangement guide and direct the transmission window 14 into an elongated, curved window structure, which, for the same material thickness, is considerably stronger than the substantially flat transmission window structures employed in the prior an.

For example, for a three inch wide window using conventional flat flanges in lieu of the flanges 16 and 18, the radius of curvature R after vacuum loading would typically have a dimension of about six inches. Under those same conditions, a three inch wide window 14, when given a radius of curvature R of one and one half inches, manifests significantly reduced material stress in the thin foil of the window, the stress being less than about one quarter the comparable stress present in the vacuum loaded flat window configuration.

Fig. 2 illustrates a transmission window embodiment 14A of the present invention which presents a curved convex surface to the vacuum chamber along a substantial pan of its length. The window 14A may be formed thusly by the configuration of the surfaces of the upper and lower flanges abutting thereto or it may be preformed to conform closely with the abutting surfaces of the upper and lower flanges.

Fig. 3 illustrates a transmission window embodiment 14B of the present invention which presents a preformed curved convex surface to the vacuum chamber and which may be mounted between substantially flat surfaces of the upper and lower window flanges. In all of the embodiments of this invention the window 14 may be preshaped to be thinner in those regions through which the particle beam passes and thicker in those regions adjacent to the window securing structure. In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3, thinning of those regions of the window through which the particle beam passes is an advantageous result of certain methods of preshaping, such as drawing down over a forming surface, or forming with pressure, vacuum, or intense magnetic field, for examples.

With the new transmission window configuration illustrated in Fig. 1, it is therefore practical to reduce the thickness of the window by one half and thereby reduce heat dissipation of the window by at least one half over that of the conventional flat window configuration. An additional very significant advantage is a substantial reduction (about 50% in this example) in angularity of scattering of the electrons as they traverse the window. Accelerator power may thereupon be increased to double the maximum value permitted by use of a conventional fiat window and still retain an additional fifty percent safety margin in window strength. Significant improvements in forced air window cooling efficiency may also be realized, since cooling fluid (gas, mist or liquid) may now be directed specifically along the surface of the curved window 14 flowing against and guided by the curvature. As shown in

Fig. 4, a knife-blade edge nozzle arrangement 28 is formed in the lower flange 18 along one edge of the curved window 14 and directs cooling fluid flow 29 from a passage 30 directly against the ambient air side of the window 14 along its entire area in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis along which the product strand Ha moves, as denoted by the arrows drawn adjacent to the window 14 in Fig. 4. (As also shown in Fig. 4, inside edges 17 of the upper flange structure 16 may be slightly curved to provide a forming surface for curving the window 14, as desired.) The sheet of cooling fluid should enter the processing chamber tangential to the surface of curvature of the window 14 at the region of entry. If the sheet is formed and directed too shallowly away from the window, there will be dead air space adjacent to the window 14. If the sheet is formed and directed too steeply toward the window, excessive turbulence of the cooling fluid results.

A fluid cooled base beam-absoiption structure 33 having deep cavities 35 is provided below the strand Ua to absorb any stray remnants of the beam 13A emitted in the swept and converged ribbon beam generator 10'.

The structures 10' and 10 shown in Figs. 4 and 4A manifest an improved angle of incidence for, and radial acceleration of, the cooling fluid stream 29 relative to the window 14 which has a beneficial effect of reducing the boundary layer (which had been a limiting factor in cooling efficiency in prior an flat window configurations). Improved cooling of the transmission window enables use of even higher accelerator power levels, since the radiation flux and hence the window power loading may be increased with increased cooling efficiency.

Fig. 4A shows a more structurally detailed view of a preferred arrangement for directing the cooling stream 29 against the window 14 in the accelerator 10, as applied in a process for irradiating a sheet workpiece 1 lb moving in a direction relative to the window 14 as depicted in the Fig. 1 diagrammatic view.

Windows 14 of the configuration shown in Figs. 4, 4A, 5, 6 and 7 are best cooled by causing high velocity cooling fluid (e.g. air) to flow over the surface thereof in a direction which is transverse to the axial direction of product strand flow. In this manner, the short air cooling path and radius yield maximum air velocity while minimizing dispersion and volume flow. When this cooling method is practiced within the structure depicted in Figs. 4-7, the cooling air has a minimal effect upon the temperature of the product strand passing through the window volume (irradiation zone) along the radial axis of the curved window 14, as best shown in Fig. 5.

The cooling air stream 29 may transport a liquid agent, such as a water mist to the outside surface of the window 14, so that the cooling liquid evaporates in proximity of the window, thereby absorbing the heat of vaporization to achieve additional heat transfer and cooling of the heated window.

Evaporation of the cooling liquid at the window surface also results in a volume expansion of cooling gas and resulting turbulence which breaks up surface boundary layers which may otherwise form and inhibit cooling efficiency. A nozzle arrangement 28 as shown in Fig. 5 may be employed to inject water or other liquid, solid or paniculate material to be processed by exposure to the particle beam, onto the airstream in the airflow path 30 and thereby be carried into direct proximity of the surface of the window 14.

Further advantages may be obtained by reduction in the particle beam dimensions and by reducing the radius of curvature of the window 14. In fact, a preferred species of the present invention is a tubular window as depicted in Fig. 8 and discussed hereinafter. These advantages are particularly evident in realizing efficient yet smaller sized, lower prime cost particle beam accelerators.

For electron energies over 150 KeV the energy losses of the electron beam in the window 14 are reduced, for example, by about 19,000 electron volts for each .001 inch reduction in thickness of a titanium alloy window, wherein titanium is alloyed with vanadium and aluminum. This saving is particularly useful in lower energy accelerators, such as those operating in a range between about 100 and 500 KeV where the energy loss v thin the window is most significant.'

With reference now to Fig. 5, a modification of the Fig. 1 accelerator 10 is shown which advantageously promotes self-centering of the strand 11 relative to the window 14, thereby optimally positioning the strand 11 in the path of the particle beam for maximum exposure to the beam. In this modified accelerator 10', a region 37 of a modified lower flange 18' defines a longitudinal well or chamber 32 which oppositely faces the window 14. This channel-shaped space 32 enables the laminar airflow sheet, depicted by arrows and identified by the reference numeral 34 to form into a spiral which surrounds the strand 11 and which creates a low pressure area at the nominal axis of the strand 11 and a surrounding high pressure area. This flow arrangement for the cooling stream 34 thereby not only effectively draws heat off of and away from the curved transmission window 14, it also promotes centering and proper axial alignment of the workpiece 11.

The structural concept depicted in Fig.5 is extended and presented in greater detail in Figs. 6 and 7. Therein, the base structure 18' is provided with a nitrogen or air flowpath 30, and also with a plurality of water flow passages 36. The space 32 is defined by a box structure

38 which is surrounded by the water flow passages 36, so that the box structure 38 will be effectively cooled by flow of water or other suitable coolant liquid through the flow passages.

With reference to Fig. 8 a transmission window has been formed as a cylindrical tube, as by laser welding along a seam line (not shown). The product workpiece, such as the strand 11, is drawn through the inside space of the tube, while irradiation from the particle beam, denoted by the arrows 13 is directed from an evacuated chamber side of the particle beam accelerator, through the thin tubular window 14' and to the strand 11.

Fig. 9 shows a mounting arrangement for mounting the tubular window 14' between two flanges 50 and 52 which position and secure the tubular window 14' at opposite end regions thereof. Two threaded nuts 54 and 56 compress respectively against the flanges 50 and 52, thereby to lock the tube window 14' in place. The flanges 50 and 52 are respectively mounted through aligned openings formed in two sidewalls 58 and 60 of a particle beam accelerator 62. The particle beam accelerator 62 generates and directs panicle beams 13 from one or more emitters toward the window 14'. An interior space 64 within the particle beam accelerator 62 is highly evacuated, whereas the "interior" space defined by the window tube 14' is exposed to the ambient environment. One can appreciate by inspection of Figs. 8 and 9 that the tube geometry of the window 14' provides vastly reduced hoop stress across the severe pressure gradient from ambient air pressure to the highly evacuated interior space 64.

Cooling of the tube window 14' is an important consideration for its success and practicality. Generally speaking, airflow induced under pressure may be applied to the interior of the tube 14' and conduct away the heat generated as the particle beam passes through the thin window material. Also, in this example a cooling liquid, such as a water mist, may be injected at the periphery of, and carried by, the pressurized airflow to the window surface, thereby to provide additional cooling to the window by virtue of the heat of vaporization. Also, the expansion of volume resulting from evaporation of the moisture droplets aids in breaking up surface boundary layers of gas at the window, thereby promoting more intimate contact of the airflow with the window surface to be cooled. Fig. 10 illustrates an improved cooling anangement employing a coaxial air nozzle structure 66 within a modified threaded nut 54'. The coaxial air nozzle structure 66 is disposed within an annular passage 68 defined in the modified nut 54'. The passageway 68 communicates with a nipple 70 for attachment to a supply of cooling air, typically under a pressure of 30 to 80 pounds per square inch. The coaxial air nozzle structure provides a concentric nozzle annulus throughout its inner annular periphery which is directed toward the inside surface of the tubular window 14'. This nozzle creates an annular, layered airflow which passes against the tubular window 14 at high velocity. Due to a venturi effect experienced within the interior of the tube window 14', some air volume flow amplification occurs. Because of this amplification, a low pressure region exists in the throat of the window interior which self centers the strand 11 and facilitates initially feeding the strand end into and through the window (so long as the direction of feed is the same as the direction of laminar air flow).

Radiation Processing of Window Cooling Material

For the processing of materials, such as the irradiation of an aqueous solution with toxic solutes for the purpose of reduction of the toxic materials to less toxic or non-toxic forms, the window cooling air may carry or be in part or entirely replaced with a fluid stream carrying material to be processed by exposure to the energetic particle beam. While a liquid medium is presently most preferred as a carrier medium for carrying (or comprising) the material to be processed, it is clear that particulates and other materials to be processed may be injected into a fluid stream provided for cooling the transmission window.

The dimensions of the exit nozzle arrangement, i.e. cooling fluid nozzle opening 28 of Fig. 5 or coaxial air nozzle structure 66 of Fig. 10, can be spaced so as to establish that the maximum stream thickness flowing over the window is appropriate for the penetration depth of the energetic particle beam.

Beam window cooling carried out with a liquid component is much more effective than air cooling and therefore permits much higher beam flux through the window. With a very high power beam, processing of very large amounts of material within a liquid medium or carrier may be achieved economically with a relatively low particle energy. Also, by employing a thin sheet of liquid-carried material to draw heat away from the transmission window, a thicker window may be employed. For example, a window formed of 4 mil thick foil may be advantageously employed in the liquid materials process. While about 20 kilovolts per mil is lost to heating in the window foil, this heat is advantageously transferred to the liquid material to be processed. At the same time, a more durable transmission window structure is realized by virtue of the increased thickness of the window material. Since liquid has a much greater heat capacity, and since the window is being cooled by the liquid, rather than by airflow, a partial vacuum may be pulled across the liquid side of the window which further reduces stresses in the window foil and adds robustness and longevity to the window and greater economy to the overall liquid process. Thus, as the heat capacity of the cooling fluid increases, the useful thickness of the thin window foil may likewise be increased.

Turning now to Fig. 11, a liquid materials processing panicle beam system 100 includes a housing 101 enclosing a particle beam emitter for emitting a particle beam 102 from a source (not shown in this figure). For liquids processing the beam 102 most preferably may be deflected; and, it may also be deflected and converged in accordance with the teachings of the referenced and incorporated, and commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/569,329 filed on August 17, 1990, now U.S. Patent .

Alternatively, the beam 102 may be conventionally formed, focused, accelerated and deflected without convergence. In any event, the beam 102 is directed toward and through a curved transmission window 104 of the type previously described herein. While a curved transmission window 104 is presently most preferred, it will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art, that more conventional window structures, such as the slightly pillowed, nominally flat thin foil transmission windows of the prior art, may also be employed with considerably increased efficacy within the system 100. If there is a vacuum on both sides of the window, then the window can be flat.

A liquid manifold 106 provides a supply of liquid 108 to be processed under suitable pressure. The liquid 108 from the liquid manifold 106 flows along one or more internal passageways 110 toward a knife-blade edge structure 112 at one longitudinal periphery of the curved transmission window 104. The knife-blade edge structure 112 forms and directs the liquid 108 against the outside of the transmission window 104, thereby coming into contact with it and drawing off the heat generated by passage of particles, such as electrons, therethrough. At the same time, the beam's particles efficaciously pass into and process the liquid emanating from the knife-blade structure 110, thereby heating the liquid to a suitable process temperature and inducing other desired changes, either chemical, as with petroleum cracking or chemical reduction of toxic compounds, or e.g. polymerization of other liquid materials, etc.

After passing across the outer surface of the transmission window 104 for heat transfer therefrom and for processing, the liquid 108 falls as a stream or expanding sheet into a collection vessel 114 defining an interior collection space 116. The vessel 114 may advantageously be included within, or form a part of, the system housing 101. An outflow 118 draws the processed and heated liquid 108 out of the collection vessel 114, either for transfer or collection at a liquid receiver (not shown) or for heat exchange and recirculation to the inlet manifold 106, as may be desired by a particular process.

The interior space 116 may be evacuated in order to reduce the pressure differential or gradient across the thin foil transmission window 104. By reducing the pressure within the collection vessel space 116 to e.g. about 5 pounds per square inch, or less, the ^tresses across the window 104 are correspondingly reduced, and the window may be operated at a higher temperature, e.g. 350 degrees C, or higher. Particular choices of window materials and dimensions including thickness will depend on temperature, pressure differential, flow rates, heat capacity, viscosity, corrosiveness and other factors of the selected cooling fluid.

As shown in Fig 12, the knife blade liquid sheet nozzle structure 112 may be positionably secured to an interior shelf 113 within the housing 101. Screws 115 may be provided to enable positional adjustment of the moveable knife blade structure 112 along a generally horizontal locus denoted by the double arrow locus line 117. When the blade assembly 112 is moved to the left in Fig. 12, the nozzle sheet orifice becomes smaller, and the liquid sheet directed at the thin titanium foil window 104 itself becomes correspondingly thinner. Adjustment of the nozzle structure 112 to the right widens the nozzle orifice and thickens the sheet of process liquid being directed against the curved exterior surface of the window 104. Also to be noted in Fig. 12 are the bullnose upper flange 105 and lower securement flange 107 which secure the e.g. titanium foil window 104 to the housing 101.

Yet another liquid irradiation and processing system 120 is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 13. The system 120 takes advantage of the elevation of the temperature of the irradiated liquid material in such a way that a high energy efficiency may be attained. The system 120 includes a housing 122 having insulated sidewalls and a particle beam generator 123 which emits an energy beam 102 toward and through a thin foil transmission window 126, most preferably of the curved configuration discussed hereinabove, but which less preferably may be a conventional flat surface transmission window.

A collection cavity 128 within the housing 122 collects a liquid 130 undergoing processing within the system 120. Gases and vapors collecting in the cavity 128 above the level of the liquid 130 are conducted via a pipe 132 to a low temperature vapor condenser 134. The vapor condenser 134 includes a coolant inlet 151 and a coolant outflow 153 which conducts coolant to and from the interior space of the condenser 134 in order to provide desired cooling of the vapors and consequent condensation thereof. A vacuum pump 136 is provided in series with the cavity 128, pipe 132 and vapor condenser 134 so that the cavity 128 is evacuated. Condensed vapors are either passed out of the system 120 via a valve 138 to an exit conduit 140, or the condensate may be returned as a viscosity reducer to a main fluid stream via a valve 142 and pipe 143 which communicates with a process outflow conduit 144 and flowpath. Advantageously, the process of evacuating the vapor portion of the cavity 128 removes e.g. oxygen and other reactive gases and vapors from the process thereby preventing such gases from interfering with the desired process result. As noted above, a still further significant advantage of evacuating the cavity 128 is that the reduction in pressure to about 5 psia or less, for example, advantageously reduces the axial and transverse stresses otherwise present at the transmission window 126. These lower stresses make it possible to operate the process at very high window temperatures, such as 350 degrees C, or higher, without rupture of the thermally weakened thin foil of the window. Not shown in Fig. 13 are other temperature heating/cooling controls and structure which may be required or included for regulating the temperatures of certain liquid process materials, depending on the particular materials and the desired process temperatures.

A process inlet 146 enables unprocessed liquid, such as highly viscous crude oil, to enter a thermally graded heat exchanger section 143 of the housing 122. A series of thermally insulative flow baffle plates 147 separate the interior of the section 143 into a series of thermal stages or levels. At the same time, an internal conduit 150 snakes around the baffle plates 147 as shown in Fig. 13.

Fluids such as heavy crude oils may have very high viscosities. To accommodate high viscosity of the process liquid material, the conduit 150 is preferably divided into a series of progressively smaller diameter sections, with the largest diameter section 150a being located at a lowermost, and coolest level within the graded heat exchanger 143. The temperature at the coolest level may be about 28 to 30 degrees C, for example.

A next smaller diameter section 150b of the conduit 150 sinuously snakes through a middle, medium temperature portion of the heat exchanger 143 where the temperatures may range from about 100 to 300 degrees C, for example; while a smallest diameter section 146c extends through an uppermost, hottest portion of the graded heat exchanger 143 having temperatures ranging from 300 to 500 degrees C. After leaving the uppermost level, the segment 150c communicates with a knife-blade nozzle structure 148 of the type discussed e.g. in conjunction with Figs. 11 and 12, for example. In this manner the driving pressure for driving the liquid process material through the conduit 150 may be minimized by taking advantage of progressive reduction in hydraulic resistance with increasing temperature of the material. A self contained, transportable fluid process beam system 160 is illustrated in Fig. 14. Therein, a conventional tractor 162 and semi-trailer contain a system liquid processor 164, power supply 166 and operator console 168. The diesel engine of the tractor 162 may be used to power a generator to supply primary operating power for the power supply 166, or a separate generator may be provided. Hoses 170 and 172 respectively provide an inlet and outlet for material to be processed and its carrier fluid medium.

The transportable system 160 may be made to be very rugged, and safe, with necessary radiation shielding, and it may also be made to be used without direct human operator supervision and control. The system 160 may thus be taken to and used in oil fields for crude oil viscosity reduction and local cracking to produce refined products for field use. It may be used to lower the hydraulic horsepower required for pumping through pipelines. It may be taken to and advantageously employed to reduce or eliminate toxic contaminants in waste streams or in potable water supplies.

Fig. 15 graphs fluid flow rate as a function of beam power for an electron beam liquids processor of fixed window area and employing the fluid flow to cool the particle beam window in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In the Fig. 15 graph, the electron beam operated in a KeV range of 150-400, and the liquid knife gap varied from about

.005" to .040". Beam scan width varied from about 2 inches to 10 inches.

Example: Oil Viscosity Reduction A screening test was performed with apparatus similar to the Fig. 11 apparatus to determine the gross effects of beam dose, dose rate and temperature upon the viscous characteristics of oil. The samples irradiated were SAE 120 weight gear oil. Using a control viscosity of 100, and measuring viscosities of processed oil with a Brookfield viscometer using the HB3 spindle and a rotation of 100 RPM, viscosity reductions following radiation processing ranged from 93 to 68, with some absolute error due to limited quantity of oil. The tests included water spray cooling and some under vacuum conditions. At a dose (MRad) of 1.66, the viscosity reduced to 93. When the dose was raised to 15 Mrad, the reduced viscosities ranged from 83 to 68. A similar test was performed upon Venezuelan Heavy Crude with similar results.

In summary, test results have suggested that reduction of viscosities of heavy crude oil from this process yields products which are similar to those expected to result from a more conventional petroleum cracking process. Essentially no new compounds were noted as a result of this process. Having thus described an embodiment of the present invention, it will now be appreciated that the objects of the invention have been fully achieved, and it will be understood by those skilled in the an that many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as particularly defined by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A transmission window for a particle accelerator, the transmission window being of a thin foil having a predetermined thickness and having a predetermined length between a first end and a second end, and a width when laid flat as a sheet prior to forming, the window being formed to have an active area along at least part of its length so that a locus of a curve in cross section along an active transverse dimension of the active area has a radius of curvature R of at least a portion of the curve in cross section less than twice the length of the formation transverse dimension.

2. The transmission window set forth in claim 1 wherein the radius of curvature R is less than the length of the active transverse dimension.

3. The transmission window set forth in claim 2 wherein the radius of curvature R is not greater than approximately one half the length of the active transverse dimension.

4. The transmission window set forth in claim 1 wherein the thin foil is formed into a continuous wall tube geometry.

5. The transmission window set forth in claim 4 wherein the continuous wall tube geometry is formed by the process of welding two oppositely facing edges of the thin foil sheet together along a generally longitudinal seam line.

6. The transmission window set forth in claim 1 wherein the thin foil is preformed during a manufacturing process to follow said curve along at least a portion of an active longitudinal dimension, the said portion including the active area of the window.

7. The transmission window set forth in claim 6 wherein the preformed thin foil follows a convex surface of generally elliptical shape along the active longitudinal dimension of the transmission window.

8. A transmission window assembly for a panicle beam accelerator including a housing defining a vacuum chamber, means for generating a particle beam within the vacuum chamber, means for directing the particle beam toward a radiation emission end of the housing, the transmission window assembly being secured at the radiation emission end of the housing and including: plural flange means for defining aligned openings, each opening having a curve locus in an active transverse dimension lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal dimension of the window assembly at the radiation emission end, a transmission window means for passing the particle beam and being formed of thin foil sheet material of sufficient size after formation to enclose the curve loci of the plural flange means and to extend 24 therebetween in the said longitudinal dimension and being of a predetermined thickness, the transmission window means being removably mountable between and positioned by the flange means, such that the curve locus followed by the transmission window means has a radius of curvature which does not exceed twice the length of the active transverse dimension.

9. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 8 further comprising sealing gasket means disposed between the transmission window means and at least one of the flange means.

10. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 8 wherein the radius of curvature of the window means is not greater than approximately the length of the active transverse dimension.

11. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 8 wherein the radius of curvature of the window is not greater than approximately one half the length of the active transverse dimension.

12. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 8 wherein the transmission window means is formed into a tube and mounted in the particle beam accelerator by and between the plural flange means.

13. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 8 wherein the plural flange means comprise a pair of flanges: an upper flange secured to the emission end of the housing and a removable lower flange, the upper flange and the lower flange defining aligned interior openings having a length along the longitudinal dimension and defining the curve locus along the active transverse dimension at each end which is followed by the transmission window means.

14. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 13 further comprising cooling flow directing means for directing a flow of gaseous cooling fluid supplied from a source against the surface of the transmission window means.

15. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 14 wherein the cooling flow directing means causes the flow of gaseous cooling fluid to be directed as a stream transversely across the transmission window means.

16. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 15 wherein the stream directed transversely across the transmission window means creates a relatively lower pressure region in the vicinity of a longitudinal axis along which a product strand is drawn for irradiation by the particle beam.

17. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 14 further comprising cooling liquid injection means for injecting a liquid phase cooling material into the flow of gaseous cooling fluid such that evaporation of the liquid phase material promotes further cooling of the transmission window means.

18. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 12 further comprising cooling flow directing means for directing a flow of gaseous cooling fluid supplied from a source against the surface of the tubular transmission window means.

19. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 18 wherein the cooling flow directing means causes the flow of gaseous cooling fluid to be directed longitudinally adjacently along the tubular transmission window and wherein a product strand to be irradiated by the particle beam is drawn through the tubular transmission window in the same direction as the flow of gaseous cooling fluid stream.

20. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 19 wherein the flow of gaseous cooling fluid directed along the tubular transmission window means creates a low pressure region in the vicinity of a longitudinal axis along which the product strand is drawn, thereby facilitating alignment and guidance of the strand passing through the transmission window means.

21. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 18 further comprising liquid phase material injection means for injecting a liquid phase cooling material into the flow of gaseous cooling fluid such that evaporation of the liquid phase material promotes further cooling of the tubular transmission window means.

22. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 8 further comprising liquid cooling fluid flow directing means for directing a flow of liquid cooling fluid supplied from a source against the surface of the transmission window means.

23. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 8 wherein the cooling flow directing means comprises a knife-blade edge providing structural means positioned adjacent to an edge of the active transverse dimension for directing the cooling fluid as a sheet in substantial alignment with said active transverse dimension.

24. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 23 wherein the knife-blade edge providing structural means is adjustably positionable in order to control thickness of a liquid sheet of the liquid cooling fluid.

25. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 22 wherein properties of the liquid cooling fluid are modified chemically in a predetermined manner upon exposure to the particle beam while the cooling fluid is cooling the window means.

26. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 13 further comprising liquid coolant passages formed in the lower flange and a supply of cooling liquid for supplying cooling liquid to the liquid coolant passages.

27. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 8 wherein the transmission window means is preformed to follow the said curve locus along at least a portion of the longitudinal dimension.

28. The transmission window assembly set forth in claim 21 wherein the preformed transmission window means is preshaped to follow a convex surface of generally elliptical shape along at least a portion of the longitudinal dimension.

29. A particle beam accelerator including a housing defining a vacuum chamber, means for generating a particle beam within the vacuum chamber, means for directing the particle beam toward a radiation emission end of the housing, the housing including plural flange means, each flange means defining a curve locus in an active transverse dimension lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal dimension, a transmission window means for passing the particle beam and being formed of thin foil sheet material of a size sufficient following formation to enclose the curve locus of the plural flange means and extending therebetween in the said longitudinal dimension and being of predetermined thickness, the transmission window means being removably mountable between and positioned by the plural flange means, such that the curve locus followed by the transmission window means has a radius of curvature which does not exceed twice the length of the active transverse dimension.

30. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 29 further comprising sealing gasket means disposed between the transmission window means and at least one of the plural flange means.

31. The panicle beam accelerator set forth in claim 29 wherein the radius of curvature of the window is not greater than approximately the length of the active transverse dimension.

32. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 29 wherein the radius of curvature of the window means is not greater than approximately one half the length of the active transverse dimension.

33. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 29 wherein the transmission window means is formed into a tube and mounted in the particle beam accelerator by and positioned between the plural flange means.

34. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 29 wherein the plural flange means comprises a pair of flanges including: an upper flange at the emission end of the housing, and a removable lower flange; the upper flange and the lower flange defining aligned interior openings having a length along the longitudinal dimension and defining the curve locus along the active transverse dimension at each end followed by the transmission window means.

35. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 34 further comprising cooling flow directing means for directing a flow of gaseous cooling fluid supplied from a source against the surface of the transmission window means.

36. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 35 wherein the cooling flow directing means causes the flow of gaseous cooling fluid to be directed transversely across the transmission window means.

37. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 36 wherein the cooling flow directed transversely across the transmission window means creates a low pressure region in the vicinity of a longitudinal axis along which a product strand is drawn for irradiation by the particle beam.

38. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 35 further comprising liquid phase material injection means for injecting a liquid phase cooling material into the flow of gaseous cooling fluid such that evaporation of the liquid phase material promotes further cooling of the transmission window means.

39. The particle beam accelerator set foπh in claim 33 further comprising cooling flow directing means for directing a flow of gaseous cooling fluid supplied from a source against the surface of the tubular transmission window means.

40. The panicle beam accelerator set forth in claim 39 wherein the cooling flow directing means causes the flow of gaseous cooling fluid to be directed longitudinally adjacently along the transmission window means and wherein a product strand to be irradiated by the panicle beam is drawn through the tubular transmission window in the same direction as the flow of gaseous cooling fluid.

41. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 40 wherein the cooling flow directed along the tubular transmission window means creates a low pressure region in the vicinity of a longitudinal axis along which the product strand is drawn.

42. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 33 further comprising liquid phase material injection means for injecting a liquid phase cooling material into the flow of gaseous cooling fluid such that evaporation of the liquid phase material promotes further cooling of the tubular transmission window means.

43. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 34 further comprising liquid coolant passages formed in the lower flange and a supply of cooling liquid for supplying cooling liquid to the liquid coolant passages.

44. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 29 wherein the transmission window means is preformed to follow the said curve locus along at least a portion of the longitudinal dimension.

45. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 43 wherein the preformed transmission window means is preshaped to present a convex surface of generally elliptical shape to the vacuum chamber.

46. The panicle beam accelerator set forth in claim 34 comprising cooling flow directing means for directing a flow of cooling fluid supplied from a source against the surface of the transmission window means.

47. The panicle beam accelerator set forth in claim 46 wherein the cooling flow directing means causes the flow of cooling fluid to be directed transversely across the transmission window means.

48. The panicle beam accelerator set forth in claim 47 wherein the cooling flow comprises a liquid supplied from a source which is directed into direct proximity against the surface of the transmission window means by the cooling flow directing means.

49. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 48 wherein the cooling flow directing means comprises a knife-blade edge providing structural means positioned adjacent to an edge of the active transverse dimension.

50. The panicle beam accelerator set forth in claim 49 wherein the knife-blade edge providing structural means is adjustably positionable in order to control thickness of a liquid sheet of the liquid cooling fluid.

51. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 48 wherein properties of the liquid cooling fluid are modified chemically in a predetermined manner upon exposure to the particle beam while the liquid cooling fluid is cooling the window means.

52. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 33 further comprising cooling flow directing means for directing a flow of cooling fluid supplied from a source against the surface of the tubular transmission window means.

53. The particle beam accelerator set forth in claim 52 wherein the cooling flow directing means causes the flow of cooling fluid to be directed longitudinally adjacently along the transmission window means and wherein a product strand to be irradiated by the particle beam is drawn through the tubular transmission window means in the same direction as the flow of the cooling fluid.

54. A liquid material processor including housing containing a particle beam accelerator means defining a vacuum chamber, means for generating a particle beam within the vacuum chamber, means for directing the panicle beam toward a radiation emission end of the vacuum chamber, the housing including transmission window means at the radiation emission end for passing the panicle beam and being formed of thin foil sheet material, the processor comprising: source means for supplying a quantity of liquid material to the housing, liquid material flow directing means within the housing and external to the vacuum chamber for directing a flow of liquid material supplied from the source means against an exterior surface of the transmission window means in order to transfer heat from the transmission window means to the liquid cooling fluid while simultaneous exposure to the particle beam modifies chemically the liquid cooling fluid, thereby resulting in processing of the liquid cooling fluid into processed liquid, and liquid collection means within the housing for collecting the processed liquid.

55. The liquid material processor set forth in claim 54 wherein the liquid collection means defines a gaseous cavity above a liquid level, and further comprising negative pressure providing means in communication with the gaseous cavity for reducing gas pressure within the cavity.

56. The liquid material processor set forth in claim 55 further comprising heat exchanger means for exchanging heat from the processed liquid within the liquid collection means to the supply of liquid material within the source means.

57. The liquid material processor set forth in claim 54 wherein the transmission window means comprises a thin foil having a predetermined thickness and having a predetermined length between a first end and a second end, and a width when laid flat as a sheet prior to forming, the transmission window means being formed to have an active area along at least pan of its length so that a locus of a curve in cross section along an active transverse dimension of the active area has a radius of curvature R of at least a portion of the curve in cross section less than twice the length of the formation transverse dimension.

58. The liquid material processor set forth in claim 57 wherein the housing includes plural flange means, each flange means defining a curve locus in an active transverse dimension lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal dimension, the transmission window means being of a size sufficient following formation to enclose the curve locus of the plural flange means and extending therebetween in the said longitudinal dimension and being of predetermined thickness, the transmission window means being removably mountable between and positioned by the plural flange means.

59. The liquid material processor set forth in claim 57 wherein the liquid material directing means causes the flow of liquid material to be directed in accordance with an active transverse dimension of the transmission window means.

60. The liquid material processor set forth in claim 59 wherein the liquid material directing means comprises a knife-blade edge providing structural means positioned adjacent to an edge of the active transverse dimension.

61. The liquid material processor set forth in claim 60 wherein the knife-blade edge providing structural means is adjustably positionable in order to control thickness of a liquid sheet of the liquid cooling fluid.

62. The liquid material processor set forth in claim 54 included within mobile transportation means for enabling transportation and relocation of the liquid material processor as a unit to a plurality of process sites.

63. A method for processing materials by exposure to an accelerated particle beam, the method comprising the steps of: generating a particle beam within a vacuum chamber, directing the panicle beam toward a panicle beam transmission window means at a radiation emission end of the vacuum chamber, supplying a quantity of said material to be processed within a fluid medium, directing a flow of fluid medium supplied from the source means against an exterior surface of the particle beam transmission window means in order to transfer heat therefrom to the fluid medium, simultaneously exposing the material in the fluid medium to accelerated particles of said particle beam passing through the transmission window means in order to process said material.

64. The processing method set forth in claim 63 wherein the step of simultaneously exposing the material to accelerated particles of said particle beam causes chemical modification of said material.

65. The processing method set forth in claim 63 comprising the further step of collecting the fluid medium and processed material after heat transfer to said fluid medium and simultaneous exposure of said material to said accelerated particles.

66. The processing method set forth in claim 63 wherein said fluid medium comprises said material to be processed.

67. The processing method set forth in claim 63 comprising the further steps of providing an enclosed processing chamber including the exterior surface of the panicle beam transmission window means, and reducing gas pressure within the enclosed processing chamber to relieve stresses in said particle beam transmission window means.

68. The processing method set forth in claim 63 comprising the further step of exchanging heat from the fluid medium to an external heat transfer medium.

69. The processing method set forth in claim 63 comprising the further step of forming the particle beam transmission window means as a curved structure so that said external surface thereof has an active area along at least part of its length so that a locus of a curve in cross section along an active transverse dimension of the active area has a radius of curvature R of at least a portion of the curve in cross section less than twice the length of the formation transverse dimension.

70. The processing method set forth in claim 69 wherein the step of forming the particle beam transmission window means as a curved structure includes the step of forming the panicle beam transmission window means with plural flange means, each flange means defining a curve loci. In an active transverse dimension lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal dimension, the particle beam transmission window means being of a size sufficient following formation to enclose the curve locus of the plural flange means and extending therebetween in the said longitudinal dimension and being of predetermined thickness.

71. The processing method set forth in claim 63 wherein the step of directing the flow of fluid medium includes the step of directing the flow of fluid medium to be directed in accordance with an active transverse dimension of the particle beam transmission window means.

72. The processing method set forth in claim 71 wherein the step of directing the flow of fluid medium includes the step of forming and directing a sheet of the fluid medium against the particle beam transmission window means along a longitudinal edge thereof.

73. The processing method set forth in claim 63 comprising the further steps of collecting the fluid medium following heat transfer from said particle beam transmission window means; and, transferring heat from said collected fluid medium to said quantity of said material to be processed within said fluid medium before it is directed against said particle beam transmission window means.