Application of electron beam technology in improving sewage water quality: An advance technique

The use of electron beam to disinfect sewage water is gaining importance. The current problem on environmental health in relation to water pollution insists for the safe disposal of sewage water. In general, sewage water comprises of heterogeneous organic based chemicals as well as pathogens. EB (electron beam) treatment of the wastewater was found to be very effective in reducing the pathogens as well as organic load. EB dose of 1.5 kGy was sufficient for complete elimination of total coli forms. The experimental results elucidated that the reduction of biological oxygen demand (BOD) (30.38 and 51.7%) in both inlet and outlet sewage samples. Similarly, reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was observed (37.54 and 52.32%) both sewage samples with respect to increasing of irradiation doses (0.45 to 6 kGy). The present study demonstrated the potential of ionizing radiation for disinfection of sewage and to increase the water quality of the wastewater by decreasing BOD and COD. So, the irradiation sewage water can find its application either in agriculture for irrigation or in industry sector for cooling purpose or in both the sectors.Key words: Disinfection, electron beam accelerator, organic matter, sewage water quality

A combination process including ionizing radiation for hygienization and shelf life extension of leafy vegetables

Raw leafy greens are commonly associated with global foodborne outbreaks due to pathogenic contaminants. In the current study, greens, such as spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and mint (Mentha spicata L.) showed presence of coliforms (including E. coli)along with other aerobic microbes, yeast and molds. These vegetables mostly consumed in raw or culinary purpose, and hence increase the chances of food borne illnesses. Moreover, the leafy greens are perishable. In this context, we optimized a combination process including radiation treatment to achieve hygienization and shelf life extension of these leafy green vegetables. The combination treatment comprising potable water wash, chlorination (NaOCl-200 ppm) followed by irradiation (2 kGy using electron beam or gamma) was developed, and the processed samples showed keeping quality up to 15 days at 4-6°C, whereas control samples spoiled within two days. The treatment resulted in coliform count below detection level while retaining the nutritional, phenolic content and organoleptic qualities. Thus, the combination treatment could ensure safety, keeping quality enhancement of perishable leafy greens and to control global food outbreaks. Electron beam over gamma processing found to be a commercial viable option due to its high throughput and equal efficacy in microbial decontaminatio

A combination process including ionizing radiation for hygienization and shelf life extension of leafy vegetables

474-486Raw leafy greens are commonly associated with global foodborne outbreaks due to pathogenic contaminants. In the current study, greens, such as spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and mint (Mentha spicata L.) showed presence of coliforms (including E. coli)along with other aerobic microbes, yeast and molds. These vegetables mostly consumed in raw or culinary purpose, and hence increase the chances of food borne illnesses. Moreover, the leafy greens are perishable. In this context, we optimized a combination process including radiation treatment to achieve hygienization and shelf life extension of these leafy green vegetables. The combination treatment comprising potable water wash, chlorination (NaOCl-200 ppm) followed by irradiation (2 kGy using electron beam or gamma) was developed, and the processed samples showed keeping quality up to 15 days at 4-6°C, whereas control samples spoiled within two days. The treatment resulted in coliform count below detection level while retaining the nutritional, phenolic content and organoleptic qualities. Thus, the combination treatment could ensure safety, keeping quality enhancement of perishable leafy greens and to control global food outbreaks. Electron beam over gamma processing found to be a commercial viable option due to its high throughput and equal efficacy in microbial decontamination

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Not AvailableA profile moisture model has been developed to evaluate the seasonal soil moisture fluctuation with respect to soil characteristics and land use pattern under irrigated and rainfed conditions in an area of agricultural fields. Daily rainfall and irrigation were used as model inputs. Instantaneous uniform redistribution of soil moisture in the effective root zone and negligible contribution of soil water through upward flux were assumed. An empirical model was used to determine the root depth. Runoff was estimated from rainfall data using the curve number technique of the Soil Conservation Service adapted for conditions in India and combined with a soil moisture-accounting procedure. The modified Penman method was used to calculate the reference evapotranspiration. To calculate the crop coefficient (Kc), regression equations were developed taking Kc as the dependent variable on normalized difference vegetation index. This model was very easy to parameterize and required a minimum soil data set of field capacity and permanent wilting point. To evaluate model performance, observed values of soil water were taken for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Mehrauli (sandy loam to loam texture) and Daryapur (loamy texture) soil series under irrigated conditions and for gram (Cicer arietinum L.) in the Jagat (clay loam texture) and Holambi (loam texture) soil series under rainfed conditions in Delhi. The r(2) and D index between observed and predicted soil water values varied between 0.67 and 0.77 and 0.83 and 0.93, respectively.Not Availabl

Electron-beam irradiation effects on poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) polymer

Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) films were irradiated with a 1.2MeV electron beam at varied doses over the range 0-270kGy in order to investigate the modifications induced in its optical, electrical and thermal properties. It was observed that optical band gap and activation energy of EVA films decreased upon electron irradiation, whereas the transition dipole moment, oscillator strength and number of carbon atoms per cluster were found to increase upon irradiation. Further, the dielectric constant, the dielectric loss, and the ac conductivity of EVA films were found to increase with an increase in the dose of electron radiation. The result further showed that the thermal stability of EVA film samples increased upon electron irradiation

Electron-Beam-Induced Modifications in High-Density Polyethylene

Post-irradiation studies have been carried out to elucidate the effects of electron beam irradiation on the structural, optical, dielectric, and thermal properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) films. The experimental results showed that both the optical band gap and activation energy of HDPE films decreases with an increase in the doses of electron radiation. The electrical measurements showed that dielectric constant and the ac conductivity of HDPE increases with an increase in the dose of electron radiation. The thermal analysis carried out using DSC and TGA revealed that the melting temperature, degree of crystallinity, and thermal stability of the HDPE films increased, obviously, due to the predominant cross-linking reaction following high doses of electron irradiation