A small capacity (100 g.s(-1)) pilot system is described for presentat
ion of powders and fine aggregates at high velocity, to an electron be
am. Electron beam dose rate is continuously monitored in real time, wh
ile the thickness of the fluidized bed used to pneumatically transport
the product can be monitored and controlled using beta-gauge techniqu
es. Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques, alanine po
wer mixed with the product is used for precise determination of dose d
elivered to the powder stream. Thin film dosimeters transported in the
bed are also used for dose determination. Results with a variety of p
roducts are presented using both dose rate and bed velocity as the ind
ependent variables. Lethality data for the bioburdens present in sever
al powdered foodstuffs are discussed.