Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Evaluation of an ultraviolet/ozone technology for the treatment of explosives in groundwater at Umatilla Depot Activity, Oregon

Conference ·
OSTI ID:210467

An evaluation of an ultraviolet (UV)/ozone technology was conducted to evaluate the feasibility for the treatment of explosives contaminated groundwater and provide site-specific information for the US Army`s Umatilla Depot Activity (UMDA). The UV/ozone system was supplied by Ultrox. During each of two pumping tests, three pH levels (5, 7, and 9), three ozone dosages (1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 milligrams per liter per minute), and three retention times (30, 90, and 150 minutes) were evaluated. Three ozone/hydrogen peroxide tests per pumping test were also run at three retention times. As expected, 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB) was the most difficult explosive product to treat. The results indicated that a pH of 5 assists in the destruction of TNB at a retention time between 30 and 90 minutes and an ozone dosage of at least 2.5 milligram per liter per minute. The ozone dosage required for a second well was only 1.5 milligram per liter per minute. The tests involving hydrogen peroxide/ozone and no UV indicated that none of the explosives were well degraded after the treatment. An evaluation by Ultrox of a full-scale system indicated that higher explosives concentrations and flow rates improved the cost effectiveness of UV/ozone compared to a carbon treatment system. Because the concentrations of explosives at UMDA are not exceptionally high, the carbon treatment system was selected for UMDA.

OSTI ID:
210467
Report Number(s):
CONF-9509139--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English