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U.S. Department of Energy
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Reaction products and mass balances from irradiated TCE vapor

Conference ·
OSTI ID:210198
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
  2. SRI International, Menlo Park, CA (United States); and others

Trichloroethylene (TCE) vapor, at a concentration of 3000 ppmv in synthetic air, was sealed in Tedlar bags and irradiated with a 3.7 MeV electron beam. Bags of dry vapor and vapor at 90% relative humidity were irradiated. Doses up to 11 megarads (11 MR) were applied. Each bag was chemically analyzed for reaction products and a mass balance of the chlorine and carbon was obtained within the 11 MR dose range. The results of these radiolysis experiments and chemical analysis show that, given the proper treatment, the TCE concentration is reduced to below detection limit and the reaction products of the organic carbon and chlorine are carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}), chlorine gas (Cl{sub 2}) and hydrochloric acid (140). No detectable amounts of dichloroacetyl chloride (DCAC) or phosgene (PG) remained in the sample after proper treatment. DCAC and PG were found only as intermediary oxidation products of the TCE. High energy ionizing radiation, as electron beams and bremsstrahlung, is a new treatment technology for destroying toxic compounds and hazardous Wastes. A demonstration of complete destruction of organic products, using this treatment at standard temperature and pressure, is expected to help implement the use of this technology.

OSTI ID:
210198
Report Number(s):
CONF-9509139--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English