Trends and opportunities for the development of electron-beam energy-intensive technologies

This paper reviews a variety of works devoted to applications of accelerated electrons as possible alternative energy carriers in energy-intensive technologies. It considers a number of radiochemical and radiothermal technologies, both proven and promising ones, including leaching of non-ferrous metal ores, decomposition of carbonates, intensification of ore preparation and mineral processing, destruction of rocks, modification of concrete, cracking of petroleum products, paraffins, and lignin, processing of natural gas into motor fuel, gas-phase synthesis, purification of waste gas from metallurgical production and thermal coal-fired power plants, radiation treatment of wastewater for disinfection, long-distance energy transmission and weather correction with a collimated beam of high-energy electrons. The review assesses the technological state of work in each area and discusses the possibilities of technical and economical implementation of promising projects.