52    ULTRAVIOLET PEROXIDATION: AN ALTERNATIVE
TREATMENT METHOD FOR ORGANIC
CONTAMINATION DESTRUCTION IN AQUEOUS
WASTE STREAMS
Karl W. Yost, Director of Technical Services
MAECORPINCORPORATED
Homewood, IL 60430
INTRODUCTION
Ultraviolet peroxidation technology utilizes the oxidative potential of hydroxyl radicals formed
when UV light at less than < 400 nm1 reacts with hydrogen peroxide to effectively destroy organic
contaminants commonly found in aqueous wastes. Target parameters are broken down to base
compounds consisting primarily of carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen, and weak inorganic salts. If
properly applied, the technology may potentially eliminate the need for off-site disposal of tightly
regulated and politically sensitive contaminants commonly found in aqueous streams.
BACKGROUND
The advent of environmental regulations began in 1963 with the Clean Air Act and evolved with
subsequent legislation implemented thereafter with the Clean Water Act, the Solid Waste Act, its
RCRA amendments, CERCLA (or SUPERFUND), and finally, SARA (CERCLA's amendments and
reauthorization). These regulations, coupled with the other environmental industry driving forces
including public opinion, cost, enforcement actions, and others, have persuaded researchers to reevaluate existing technologies and develop new innovative approaches. Each requirement placed on
generators of waste material was and is based upon the direct or indirect improvement of water
quality relative to human health and the environment.
Fortunately, technical treatment methods, whether implemented on or off site, may be simply
segregated to two distinct byproduct producers. Most common to the environmental remediation
industry are those methods that remove contaminants from the target waste stream and place them
into a stream that is more desirable, easily handled, or economically disposed. Heavy metals, for
example, are generally coprecipitated from aqueous waste streams and concentrated in sludge or solid
form for internment. Activated carbon is utilized to remove organics from waters or air. Stripping
towers effectively remove volatile organics by dispersing them into carrier gases for discharge directly
to the atmosphere, or through emission control devices. Such removal processes may be called media-
transfers. Standing alone, media-transfers do not destroy or alter the contaminants to less virulent or
nonregulated species. Therefore, long-term liability and associated risks are not affected.
The second type of treatment methodology utilizes technology which destroys contaminants without grossly changing waste stream volume thereby diluting or concentrating the target species. These
methods have typically required inputs of energy from outside sources forcing selection of alternate
approaches based on best available technology and financial justification. Currently, increased costs
associated with transportation and off-site disposal, SARA regulations which favor on-site treatment,
and technology advancements are cumulatively creating strong markets for destructive methods.
One such technology, chemical oxidation in the presence of ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide,
or "UV peroxidation," has proven its effectiveness on specific waste streams, but also shows tremendous potential for generic application industry-wide. Its past history, though limited comparatively,
has demonstrated the ability to destroy oxidizable contaminants found in aqueous wastes ranging
from recovered groundwater to process effluents.
The author of this chapter first recognized the technology potential for remediation contractors
over two years ago while reviewing site alternatives to activated carbon, air stripping, and biodegradation methods. The dilemma encountered was that of cost-effectively treating large volumes of aque-
43rd Purdue Industrial Waste Conference Proceedings, © 1989 Lewis Publishers, Inc., Chelsea, Michigan 48118.
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