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Radiolytic removal of PCBs from isooctane, transformer oil, and hydraulic oil solutions

Conference ·
OSTI ID:210456
Research at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) has shown the ability to degrade PCBs by exposure to gamma radiation in a number of solvents, including transformer and hydraulic oils. Radiolysis with gamma-rays may be achieved in the absence of activation or contamination and does not result in a radiologically contaminated product. While much of our original work was done in isopropanol, recent studies have been performed in isooctane as an oil surrogate. Use of isooctane permits radiolysis studies in a surrogate reasonably similar to oils yet one in which analytical work is considerably simplified. Results in both isopropanol and isooctane show the mechanism to be one of reductive dechlorination, probably associated with electron capture of solvated electrons by the PCBs. The electrons are generated by radiolysis of the solvent. Data is presented showing rate constants for the radiolysis of individual PCB congeners in isooctane and the decomposition of Aroclor 1260 in transformer and hydraulic oil.
OSTI ID:
210456
Report Number(s):
CONF-9509139--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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