Method and apparatus for ionizing gas with point of use ion flow delivery

In a method for suppressing electrostatic charge accumulations by industrial products or the like which are situated at a predetermined region, the steps comprising:

• directing a flow of pressurized gas to said product region along an enclosed flow path,
• ionizing said gas flow by directing ionizing radiation into a predetermined portion of said enclosed flow path at a location therein which is spaced apart from said product region,
• suppressing escape of radiation which propagates out of said predetermined portion of said flow path, and
• releasing said ionized gas flow from said enclosed flow path at said product region.

Apparatus for providing an ionized gas environment at a predetermined region comprising:

• a housing having a chamber therein and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening,
• inlet means for transmitting a pressurized gas flow to said inlet opening of said housing,
• a source of gas ionizing radiation positioned to direct ionizing radiation into the gas flow within said chamber,
• shielding means for absorbing radiation which leaves said chamber, and
• a flow delivery tubulation for transmitting said gas flow including ions therein to said predetermined region, said tubulation having one end connected to said outlet opening of said housing.