THE REMOVAL OF TRICHLOROETHYLENE (TCE) AND TETRACHLOROETHYLENE (PCE) FROM AQUEOUS-SOLUTION USING HIGH-ENERGY ELECTRONS

Trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) are com mon grou ndwater contaminants that persist in the environment. An innovative tr eatment process employing high energy electron beam irradiation has be en shown to be an effective process for treating TCE- or PCE-contamina ted water, wastewater, and water containing suspended solids. Experime nt's conducted at the Electron Beam Research Facility, Miami, Florida, have led to a better understanding of the factors that affect the rem oval efficiency of TCE and PCE in treated ground water (potable water) , secondary wastewater effluent, and raw (untreated) wastewater. The e ffect of the addition of a hydroxyl radical scavenger, methanol, on th e removal of TCE and PCE has also been determined. A quantitative desc ription of TCE and PCE removal efficiency at several carbonate/bicarbo nate ion concentrations, and in the presence of 3 percent clay, has al so been developed. The reaction by-products have been characterized an d chloride ion mass balance determined for irradiated solutions both T CE and PCE.