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Q: Can electron beam be used to pasteurize/sterilize the product in addition to the packaging material?

A: While there definitely is potential for using AEB technology for surface decontamination of food products, AEB does not currently offer solutions for direct treatment of food or beverage.  With regard to beverage pasteurization, it would not be practical to consider low energy electron beams for treatment of high volume liquids.

Q: If low energy electron beams do not penetrate deeply into materials, how do you sterilize the inside of a bottle?

A: AEB's approach to beverage bottle sterilization is to use a specially designed emitter, the e25ITB, that is equipped with a nozzle that fits through the bottle mouth to deliver energy directly to interior surfaces.  This approach offers substantial benefits over large electron beam solutions that force higher energy electrons through bottle walls including:

• Minimal impact to the bulk properties of the plastic
• Smaller system design
• Less complex machinery
• Less shielding complexity

Q: What type of special training or skills is needed by operators?

A:  Leveraging the "plug and play" nature of AEB's emitter technology, operators can service the machines with no special training.  

Q: Can electron beam be used for glass packaging?

A:  Electron beams can be used to sterilize the surface of glass packaging. Glass bottles would need to be dimensioned to accommodate the emitter nozzle.  The e25ITB emitter has a 25mm nozzle.  Future versions of the product will accommodate smaller bottle finishes.

Q: Does the temperature of the packaging material change when exposed to electron beam?

A: Material exposed to sterilizing doses of electron beam experience a negligible temperature change, making it an excellent choice for heat sensitive applications.

Q: Is there any risk of residual radiation remaining on the equipment or packaging?

A:  There is absolutely no residual radiation created by electron beams.  When the system is powered down, electron energy ceases instantaneously making it possible to design systems with highly effective safety interlocks.