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

Radiation treatment of high-strength chlorinated hydrocarbon wastes. [Gamma radiation]

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7282990
The possible use of gamma radiation for the treatment of waste effluents containing chlorinated hydrocarbons, particularly pesticides, has been investigated. Significant destruction was obtained of representative compounds such as pentachlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Radiation treatment had little effect on polychlorinated biphenyls or mixtures of compounds, including actual manufacturing effluents. It was found that the addition of a material of high atomic weight, such as barium, increased the efficiency of radiation utilization. No other materials were found which increased the desired destruction. G-values were calculated for pentachlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. It is concluded from the magnitude of these values that radiation treatment of chlorinated hydrocarbons is not economically feasible at the present level of radiation costs. (GRA)
Research Organization:
Georgia Inst. of Tech., Atlanta (USA). Engineering Experiment Station
OSTI ID:
7282990
Report Number(s):
PB-244388
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English