E-beam treatment system for machining coolants and lubricants

Abstract

A treatment system and method for substantially reducing or eliminating bacteria in bacteria laden fluids used with machine tools. An electron beam emitter is used to irradiate the fluid with an electron beam. The electron beam creates an atmospheric plasma region that kills bacteria exposed to it. The fluid is thus decontaminated when circulated through the electron beam emitter. In one embodiment a filter is employed to remove particulates entrained in the fluid. A pump is also employed for withdrawing fluid from the sump of the machine tool. In another embodiment a plurality of electron beam emitters are disposed in longitudinal alignment with one another and closely adjacent a fluid carrying conduit to provide an intensified atmospheric plasma region through which the bacteria laden fluid flows. The system eliminates the need for unscheduled fluid changing due to bacterial laden fluid problems. The system also eliminates the problem of disposing of the fluid as well as the risk of the operator coming in contact with the bacteria laden fluid during the treatment process, plus the additional equipment cleaning to remove bacterial sludge residue.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.