Field Evaluation of High Voltage Electron Beam Technology for Treating VOC-Contaminated Groundwater. Part I: VOC Removals and Treatment Costs
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Abstract
As part of the Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency evaluated the High Voltage Environmental Applications, Inc. (HVEA), electron beam (E-beam) technology at the U.S. Department of Energy Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken, South Carolina. This technology irradiates water with a beam of high-energy electrons, causing the formation of three primary transient reactive species: aqueous electrons, hydroxyl radicals, and hydrogen radicals. Target organic compounds are either mineralized or broken down into low molecular weight organic compounds, primarily by these species. The E-beam system used for the evaluation is housed in an 8- by 48-foot trailer and is rated for a maximum flow rate of 50 gpm. During two different periods totaling 3 weeks in September and November 1994, about 70,000 gallons of SRS M-area groundwater contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was treated with the E-beam system. The highest removal efficiencies (REs) observed for unsaturated chlorinated VOCs in groundwater - trichloroethene (TCE), tetrachloroethene (PCE), and cis-1,2-dichloroethene (1,2-DCE) - were >99, 99, and > 91%, respectively. REs ranged from 68 to > 98% for 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA), 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA), chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), which are all saturated chlorinated VOCs. REs ranged from > 96 to > 98% for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). Influent alkalinity had varying effects on VOC REs, depending on particular VOC removal mechanisms in the E-beam system. The treatment system achieved effluent target levels for 1,2-DCE, CCl4, and BTEX at a statistical significance level of 0.05. However, the treatment system did not achieve effluent target levels for TCE, PCE, 1,1,1-TCA, 1,2-DCA, and chloroform at a statistical significance level of 0.05. Economic data indicate that groundwater treatment costs directly associated with the HVEA E-beam system could range from about $4 to $6 per 1,000 gallons treated, depending on contaminated groundwater characteristics.
© 2017 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Contents
- Preface
- Editorial
- Research Articles
- Formation and Degradation of Halogenated Organic Acids. Radiation versus Photocatalytically Induced Processes
- Environmental Radiolysis for Soil and Sediment Treatment: A Review of Chemistry, Design, and Economic Issues
- Radiolytic Reduction and Oxidation of Diethyl benzylphosphonate: A Pulse Radiolysis Study
- The Elimination of Methane Phosphonic Acid, Dimethyl Ester (DMMP) from Aqueous Solution Using 60Co-y and Electron Beam Induced Radiolysis: A Model Compound for Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Ε-Beam Process in the Destruction of Organophosphorus Chemical Warfare Agents
- Decontamination of Soil Contaminated with Aroclor 1260 Using a Solvent Extraction Process and γ-Ray Radiolysis
- Gamma-Ray Destruction of EDTA Catalyzed by Titania
- Gamma-Ray-Induced Destruction of Nitrilotriacetic Acid in a Simulated, Mixed Nuclear Waste: Radiolytic and Chemical Forces
- Decomposition of Volatile Organic Compounds in Air by Electron Beam and Gamma Ray Irradiation
- Electron Beam Degradation of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons Air-stripped from Polluted Ground Water: a Laboratory and Field Study
- Field Evaluation of High Voltage Electron Beam Technology for Treating VOC-Contaminated Groundwater. Part I: VOC Removals and Treatment Costs
- Field Evaluation of High Voltage Electron Beam Technology for Treating VOC-Contaminated Groundwater. Part II: Acute Toxicity Changes and By-Product Formation
- Decolorization of Simulated Dye Wastewater by High Energy Electron Beam Irradiation with Fe(II) Addition
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Contents
- Preface
- Editorial
- Research Articles
- Formation and Degradation of Halogenated Organic Acids. Radiation versus Photocatalytically Induced Processes
- Environmental Radiolysis for Soil and Sediment Treatment: A Review of Chemistry, Design, and Economic Issues
- Radiolytic Reduction and Oxidation of Diethyl benzylphosphonate: A Pulse Radiolysis Study
- The Elimination of Methane Phosphonic Acid, Dimethyl Ester (DMMP) from Aqueous Solution Using 60Co-y and Electron Beam Induced Radiolysis: A Model Compound for Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Ε-Beam Process in the Destruction of Organophosphorus Chemical Warfare Agents
- Decontamination of Soil Contaminated with Aroclor 1260 Using a Solvent Extraction Process and γ-Ray Radiolysis
- Gamma-Ray Destruction of EDTA Catalyzed by Titania
- Gamma-Ray-Induced Destruction of Nitrilotriacetic Acid in a Simulated, Mixed Nuclear Waste: Radiolytic and Chemical Forces
- Decomposition of Volatile Organic Compounds in Air by Electron Beam and Gamma Ray Irradiation
- Electron Beam Degradation of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons Air-stripped from Polluted Ground Water: a Laboratory and Field Study
- Field Evaluation of High Voltage Electron Beam Technology for Treating VOC-Contaminated Groundwater. Part I: VOC Removals and Treatment Costs
- Field Evaluation of High Voltage Electron Beam Technology for Treating VOC-Contaminated Groundwater. Part II: Acute Toxicity Changes and By-Product Formation
- Decolorization of Simulated Dye Wastewater by High Energy Electron Beam Irradiation with Fe(II) Addition
