Recent improvements in the "cold cracking" process requires relatively low levels of electron beam treatment to break long-chain hydrocarbons into smaller molecules and to reduce crude oil viscosity. In this fashion, radiation processing can be used to improve the value and transportability of various grades of crude oil and oil reserves. Treatment facilities may be located at multiple points within an oil refinery or at collection centers close to where the crude is extracted. As the world's crude oil supply rebalances, the process will dramatically improve the efficiency and costs of heavy crude and residual refining, and make viable the use of untapped reserves such as those found in tar-sands. Ongoing research in the field is also geared to using the cold cracking technique to assist in the desulfurization and recycling of some oil supplies.
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The Rhodotron® is a recirculating accelerator where electrons gain energy by crossing a coaxial-shaped accelerating cavity several times.
