Gamma-ray decomposition of PCBs

Conference · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 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
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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