Briggs, Kenneth (2015-05). Experimental Setup and Preliminary Results for Electron Beam Remediation of Heavy Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soils. Master's Thesis. Thesis uri icon

abstract

  • Electron beam soil remediation has been shown to be an effective method for reducing total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) of polluted soils. This is done through a combination of reaction mechanisms, including thermal effects, radiation induced chemistry, and physical effects. Based on preliminary experiments, electron beam (e-beam) reactors and reactor supports were designed for soil treatment. Initial screening experiments with manufactured soils indicated a dose-dependent TPH reduction to below 1% in some cases. Further experiments and commercial analysis of treated real soils for C5-C38 alkanes showed reductions to below 1% for Benchmark soils 1 & 2 and GSC1AOS soil. Maximum TPH reductions for real soils are 9.1% to 0.15% for GSC1AOS with an 1100kGy dosage, 2.9% to 1.2% for GSI14RD with a 720kGy dosage, 1.6% to 0.17% for BM1 with a 960 kGy dosage, 2.1% to 0.5% for BM2 with an 820kGy dosage, and 31.9% to 28% for BT Sludge with an 1100kGy dosage. Three additives, ethanol, potassium chloride (KCl), and citrus oil were tested in 5wt% amounts with BM1. 720kGy treated soils with additives showed a TPH reduction to less than 0.5%, lower than the predicted value of 0.69% from BM1 experiments without additives. TPH reduction due to e-beam treatment was shown to increase with dosage and treatment temperature but decrease with increasing moisture. Additionally, changes in the carbon number distribution indicate non-thermal effects from e-beam treatment and the production of hydrocarbon fractions available for removal by environmental exposure. Adding a condenser to the setup was shown to improve collection of separated liquids.

publication date

  • May 2015