Abstract

AbstractAs part of the Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency evaluated the High Voltage Environmental Applications, Inc. (HVEA), electron beam (E-beam) technology at the U.S. Department of Energy Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken, South Carolina. This technology irradiates water with a beam of high-energy electrons, causing the formation of three primary transient reactive species: aqueous electrons, hydroxyl radicals, and hydrogen radicals. Target organic compounds are either mineralized or broken down into low molecular weight organic compounds, primarily by these species. The E-beam system used for the evaluation is housed in an 8- by 48-foot trailer and is rated for a maximum flow rate of 50 gpm. During two different periods totaling 3 weeks in September and November 1994, about 70,000 gallons of SRS M-area groundwater contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was treated with the E-beam system. The highest removal efficiencies (REs) observed for unsaturated chlorinated VOCs in groundwater - trichloroethene (TCE), tetrachloroethene (PCE), and cis-1,2-dichloroethene (1,2-DCE) - were >99, 99, and > 91%, respectively. REs ranged from 68 to > 98% for 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA), 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA), chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride (CCl

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