High energy irradiation of chlorinated hydrocarbons

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) are jointly investigating the decomposition of chlorinated hydrocarbons using ionizing radiation. Bremsstrahlung radiation produced by electron accelerators and gamma photons from spent reactor fuel were used for these investigations. Experimental results demonstrate an exponential type decay of chlorinated hydrocarbon concentration with dose. This decay has been demonstrated for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in ground water and for both Poly Chlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and insecticides in organic solutions. Experiments have been performed at several photon energies and dose rates with various initial chlorinated hydrocarbon concentrations. Mass balance analysis suggests complete mineralization of VOCs in ground water. Mass balance analysis also indicates significant degradation of PCBs and insecticides to VOC type compounds in organic solutions