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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Site-emerging technologies: Laser induced photochemical oxidative destruction of toxic organics in leachates and groundwaters

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7030744

The technology described in the report has been developed under the Emerging Technology Program of the Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) Program to photochemically oxidize organic compounds in wastewater by applying ultraviolet radiation using an excimer laser. The energy supplied by the laser is sufficient to stimulate photochemical reactions between the organics and hydrogen peroxide employed as a chemical oxidant, causing photooxidation and/or phototransformation of the toxic species to carbon dioxide, water and the corresponding halogenated acid. The photochemical reaction is capable of producing the complete destruction of low to moderate concentrations of toxic organics in water. Optimum conditions for the complete destruction of several different classes of compounds were developed and demonstrated in the laboratory.

Research Organization:
Energy and Environmental Engineering, Inc., Somerville, MA (United States). Research and Development Div.
OSTI ID:
7030744
Report Number(s):
PB-93-131431/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English