DECOMPOSITION OF HALOGENATED HYDROCARBONS USING INTENSE, PENETRATING BREMSSTRAHLUNG

Radiolytic decomposition of chlorinated hydrocarbons and other toxic c ompounds has been experimentally measured using ionizing radiation pro duced by electron accelerator and nuclear isotope sources. Decompositi on products have been identified. A portable, commercially available e lectron accelerator was set up at a Superfund site where vapor extract ion wells were removing trichloroethylene (TCE) from a spill into the unsaturated soil. The extraction vapor was passed through the accelera tor beam to decompose the TCE. On site radiolytic decomposition of TCE vapor using an accelerator is shown to be significantly less expensiv e than filtration of TCE vapor using activated charcoal.