A device(s) and method for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing particulate material using an electron beam. The device (10) includes at least one electron source (20) for generating an electron beam, a treatment zone (19) in which the material, particularly a freely falling material, can be pasteurized and/or sterilized by the electron beam, and a material channel (21) arranged in the region of the treatment zone (19) in which the material can be pasteurized and/or sterilized by the electron beam. A planar protective element (23), which is at least partially permeable by the electron beam, is arranged between the electron source (20) and the material channel (21). The device (10) includes a holding frame (120) which holds the protective element (23) and which has a cavity (121) through which a cooling fluid can flow.

An electron beam irradiation device includes a vacuum chamber having an electron beam generator inside, a vacuum nozzle, and a window foil on a tip of the vacuum nozzle. The electron beam irradiation device further includes an outer pipe surrounding the vacuum nozzle, a cooling-gas supply unit that supplies cooling gas into a coolant passage formed between the vacuum nozzle and the outer pipe, and a heat-conducting transmission foil fitted to the window foil and contacting the tip of the vacuum nozzle. The heat-conducting transmission foil has a value of at least 6310.sup.3, which is determined by dividing a thermal conductivity [W/(m.Math.K)] by a density [kg/m.sup.3], and a tip part of the vacuum nozzle is made of a material having at least a thermal conductivity of copper.

An electron beam irradiation device includes: an electron beam generation part; a housing part that provides a vacuum space in which the electron beam generation part is accommodated; an electron beam guide part in which a base end side is connected to the housing part and communicates with the vacuum space, in which a tip end side is provided with a long tubular member capable of being inserted into a container via a mouth portion of the container, and in which the electron beams pass through an inside; an electron beam emission window which is provided on the tip end side of the electron beam guide part; and an adjustment part that adjusts a trajectory of the electron beams in the electron beam guide part. The adjustment part is disposed on the base end side of the electron beam guide part on an outside of the vacuum space.

An electron beam source is provided that includes a vessel forming a chamber, a cathode disposed within the chamber, the cathode comprising a low dimensional electrically conductive material having an anisotropic restricted thermal conductivity, an electrode disposed in the chamber, the electrode being connectable to a power source for applying a positive voltage to the electrode relative to the cathode for accelerating free electrons away from the cathode to form an electron beam when the cathode is illuminated by electromagnetic (EM) radiation such that the cathode thermionically emits free electrons, and an electron emission window in the chamber for passing a generated electron beam out of the chamber. An electron microscope that incorporates the electron beam source is also provided.

An electron beam source is provided that includes a vessel forming a chamber, a cathode disposed within the chamber, the cathode comprising a low dimensional electrically conductive material having an anisotropic restricted thermal conductivity, an electrode disposed in the chamber, the electrode being connectable to a power source for applying a positive voltage to the electrode relative to the cathode for accelerating free electrons away from the cathode to form an electron beam when the cathode is illuminated by electromagnetic (EM) radiation such that the cathode thermionically emits free electrons, and an electron emission window in the chamber for passing a generated electron beam out of the chamber. An electron microscope that incorporates the electron beam source is also provided.

Provided is an electron beam irradiating device capable of emitting an electron beam from an electron beam generation source surrounded by a vacuum chamber to outside of the vacuum chamber through an electron beam exit window. The electron beam exit window includes: a grid; a window foil allowing the electron beam to pass therethrough; and a frame-shaped pressing member pressing the window foil against the grid. The surface of the grid has a groove section having an annular shape. A metal gasket is pressed between the groove section and the window foil.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which the equipment is protected from radiation and hazardous gases by equipment enclosures. The equipment enclosures may be purged with gas.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which the equipment is protected from radiation and hazardous gases by equipment enclosures. The equipment enclosures may be purged with gas.

Methods and systems are described for processing cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials into useful intermediates and products, such as energy and fuels. For example, conveying systems and methods, such as highly efficient vibratory conveyors, are described for the processing of the cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials.

Methods and systems are described for processing cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials into useful intermediates and products, such as energy and fuels. For example, conveying systems and methods, such as highly efficient vibratory conveyors, are described for the processing of the cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials.