High energy decomposition of halogenated hydrocarbons. FY 1992 final report

Description/Abstract

This program is the INEL component of a joint collaborative effort with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Purpose is to demonstrate a viable process for breaking down hazardous halogenated organic wastes to simpler, nonhazardous wastes using high energy ionizing radiation. The INEL effort focuses on the use of spent reactor fuel gamma radiation sources to decompose complex wastes such as PCBS. Work in FY92 expanded upon that reported for FY91. During FY91 it was reported that PCBs were susceptible to radiolytic decomposition in alcoholic solution, but that only a small percentage of decomposition products could be accounted for. It was shown that decomposition was more efficient in methanol than in isopropanol and that the presence of a copper-zinc couple catalyst did not affect the reaction rate. Major goals of FY92 work were to determine the reaction mechanism, to identify further reaction products, and to select a more appropriate catalyst. Described in this report are results of mechanism specific experiments, mass balance studies, transformer oil irradiations, the use of hydrogen peroxide as a potential catalyst, and the irradiation of pure PCB crystals in the absence of diluent.