Gamma-ray decomposition of PCBs

Conference · Sun Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:10102881

Mincher, B J; Meikrantz, D H; Arbon, R E; Murphy, R J

This program is the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) component of a joint collaborative effort with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The purpose of this effort is to demonstrate a viable process for breaking down hazardous halogenated organic wastes to simpler, non-hazardous 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. At LLNL, halogenated solvents such as carbon tetrachloride and trichloroethylene are being studied using accelerator radiation sources. The INEL irradiation experiments concentrated on a single PCB congener so that a limited set of decomposition reactions could be studied. The congener 2, 2{prime}, 3, 3{prime}, 4, 5{prime}, 6, 6{prime}-octachlorobiphenyl was examined following exposure to various gamma doses at the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) spent fuel pool. The decomposition rates and products in several solvents. are discussed. 7 refs., 13 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 10102881
• Report Number(s): EGG-M-91495; CONF-9110277-1; ON: DE92003319
• Resource Relation: Conference: Florida environmental chemistry conference,Palm Coast, FL (United States),30 Oct - 1 Nov 1991; Other Information: PBD: [1991]
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES
38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
IRRADIATION
DECOMPOSITION
GAMMA RADIATION
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
WASTE DISPOSAL
SPENT FUELS
ATR REACTOR
FUEL POOLS
070205
400600
290300
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
RADIATION PROCESSING
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND SAFETY