The radiolytic degradation of PCBs in air-equilibrated isooctane and transformer oil was investigated. Significant degradation was observed in both solvents studied at moderate absorbed dose. Scavenging studies implicate the electron as the major reactive species responsible for decomposition. This is consistent with what has been observed in neutral 2-propanol; however, surprising differences between the radiolytic behavior of PCBs in polar 2-propanol and nonpolar isooctane are observed. PCB degradation was found to be enhanced in isooctane relative to neutral 2-propanol. Chlorine number and substitution pattern have been found to influence degradation efficiency but to a lesser extent in isooctane than in 2-propanol. Deviations in PCB degradation behavior between isooctane and 2-propanol are interpreted in terms of differences in electron behavior between the two solvents. The products of PCB decomposition appear to be less chlorinated PCBs and PCB-solvent adducts.
This report presents the results of a treatability study of radiologically and PCB contaminated waste hydraulic oils at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL). The goal of the study was to demonstrate that PCBs could be selectively removed from the contaminated oils. The PCBs were selectively decomposed in an in-situ fashion via gamma-ray radiolysis. The gamma-ray source was spent nuclear fuel at the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) canal at the Test Reactor Area (TRA), of the INEL. Exposure to gamma-rays does not induce radioactivity in the exposed solutions. The treatability study was the culmination of five years of research concerning PCB radiolysis conducted at INEL which investigated the mechanism and kinetics of the reaction in several solvents. The major findings of this research are summarized here. Based upon these findings three INEL wastestreams were selected for testing of tke process. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) treatment standard of 2 mgkg-l was successfully achieved in all wastestreams. The interference of contaminants other than PCBs is discussed.
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